The Joint Action Group for Gender Equality (JAG) said the continued refusal by the government to fully recognise marital rape as a crime is demeaning to women nationwide as it denies a woman the right both over her body and to say no in a marriage.
“It is shocking that our country continues to allow marriage to be a license for a man to force sex on his wife,” JAG said in a press statement.
“The reality is that rape and sexual violence occurs within marriage, and sadly represents a common form of domestic violence,” it said.
JAG said the refusal to recognise marital rape exposes the lawmakers’ outdated acceptance for the absolute submission of a wife to her husband.
“JAG calls upon the government of Malaysia to remove the exception to marital rape in the law as a clear rejection of the violence that has been perpetrated against women under the guise of marriage, and to increase its efforts to combat domestic sexual violence in our country,” it said in the statement.
The de facto Law Minister, Nancy Shukri told Parliament on June 10 that the government had no plans to criminalise marital rape and that the government is maintaining Section 375 of the Penal Code, which among others, states that sexual intercourse by a man with his wife is not considered as rape.
In a written reply to Ramkarpal Singh (DAP - Bukit Gelugor), Nancy said decision was taken based on the study and findings of a parliamentary select committee set up to look into amendments to the legislation in July 12, 2006.
READ: Criminal offence if wife injured during sex – Nancy
JAG said currently, Section 375 of the Penal Code contains an exception that states that sexual intercourse by a man with his wife is not rape, regardless of the wife's consent or lack thereof.
“The exception reflects a lack of awareness by legislators of the dynamics of rape and especially the impact of rape within marriage,” the statement read.
According to JAG, statistics gathered by religious authorities in Selangor state that “rough sex” is one of the top reasons for divorce among Muslim couples.
“This trend of sexual violence within marriage is further reflected by police statistics from 2013, which show that 31% of victims faced sexual violence from their partners, or former partners including boyfriends, fiances, and ex-husbands,” JAG said.
Astro Awani
Sat Jun 13 2015
JAG said the refusal to recognise marital rape exposes the lawmakers outdated acceptance for the absolute submission of a wife to her husband.
Kertas kabinet wujud sektor sukan dibentang dalam tempoh sebulan - Hannah
Hannah berkata dengan data yang lebih menyeluruh melibatkan sektor industri sukan nanti, pihaknya akan mampu merangsang pertumbuhan sukan di negara ini dengan lebih baik.
Tiga Syarikat Semikonduktor umum melabur di Pulau Pinang - Kon Yeow
Tiga syarikat semikonduktor dari China menyatakan komitmen untuk membuat pelaburan baharu di Pulau Pinang.
Pindaan garis panduan lawatan: Sekolah diharap susun semula program - Fadhlina
Semua sekolah diharap dapat menyusun semula program lawatan masing-masing berikutan pindaan Garis Panduan Lawatan Murid Sekolah pada tahun lepas bagi mengukuhkan pembelajaran di luar kelas, kata Menteri Pendidikan, Fadhlina Sidek.
Kebajikan pendidikan anak-anak dijaga sehingga tamat sekolah - KPM
Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia akan memastikan kebajikan pendidikan anak-anak 10 pegawai dan anggota Tentera Laut Diraja Malaysia yang terkorban dalam nahas helikopter di Lumut, Perak, terus dijaga sehingga mereka tamat persekolahan.
Chegubard ditahan polis berkaitan hantaran mengenai kasino di Forest City
Chegubard ditahan di Ibu Pejabat Polis Daerah (IPD) Dang Wangi di sini berkaitan hantaran mengenai pengoperasian kasino di Forest City pada Sabtu.
Zahid minta pihak dalam BN buka "buku baharu"
Ahmad Zahid menegaskan senario politik tanah air sudah berubah dan terdapat banyak video lama dari parti lawan yang meminta pengundi menyokong DAP.
Malaysia kongsi pengalaman dalam usaha berterusan mempertahan Palestin
Delegasi negara akan berkongsikan peranan Malaysia dalam usaha berterusan mempertahankan nasib Palestin dalam Persidangan Liga Parlimen Al-Quds kelima yang berlangsung di Istanbul, Turki pada Sabtu.
Universiti Malaya mohon maaf kepada seluruh rakyat Malaysia
Jabatan Pengajian Antarabangsa dan Strategik, Universiti Malaya memohon maaf kepada seluruh rakyat Malaysia berhubung kenytaaan tidak bertanggungjawab Profesor Dr Bruce Gilley pada 24 April lalu.
Genting Malaysia nafi terbabit perbincangan
Selepas Berjaya Corporation Bhd dan Kerajaan Negeri Johor, kini Genting Malaysia Bhd pula menafikan sebarang penglibatan dalam perbincangan mengenai pengoperasian kasino di Forest City, Johor.
Berita tempatan pilihan sepanjang hari ini
Berikut adalah berita yang paling menjadi tumpuan sepanjang Sabtu, 27 April 2024.