Advertisement

Canada to consider change in criminal code

OTTAWA, May 12 (UPI) -- Canada should consider reinstating the word "rape" in its criminal code, a senior Canadian cabinet minister says.

Public Safety Minister Vic Toews called current use of the term term sexual assault a "very misleading and deceiving concept" that fails to capture important distinctions, The Toronto Star reports.

Advertisement

"It can basically be from a very minor sexual touching to a rape," Toews told a news conference Tuesday.

He said wording of the law was changed in 1983 to prevent victims from being further victimized in the court system.

Also, it was much more difficult for prosecutors to prove rape rather than sexual assault, he said.

Toews said his office will re-examine the feasibility of bringing back the word "rape" in Canada's laws and courtrooms.

The head of the women's Legal Education and Action Fund, Audrey Johnson, said any change in the wording would depend on the goal.

Latest Headlines