Sexual Assault In Canada

One of the most offensive crimes committed in our society is Sexual Assault. Like other physical assaults, it is an act of violence. It not only has physical and psychological effect on the victims, but it is also a consequential threat to our society. It has become a focal point of public concern for the past couple of decades. The demeanor of both men and women are viewed differently in society when it comes to sexual relationship. In this paper based on extensive research, I will look at the role of gender socialization in creating stereotypical views of male and female and how that contributes to sexual assaults in Canada. To support this, one first needs to look at the history of sexual assault and how that contributed in creating this …show more content…
The old laws reinforced the stereotypical views about male and female roles in society. For example, by the definition only women were considered to be victims because forced vaginal penetration was required in order to prove rape (Handbook, 2007:4). No one ever considered the fact that men could also be the victims of a sexual assault. It was also this notion among people in society that men are dominant and powerful beings and they can protect themselves, whereas women are submissive and weak who are in need of protection. It wasn 't until the beginning of 1983 that important changes were made in criminal law regarding sexual assault. Indecent assault and crimes of rape were replaced by new sexual assault offences in the 1983 amendment. It was intended to emphasize the violent facet of the crime as opposed to the ‘moral’ or sexual nature of the offence (Statistics Canada, 2008). With this legislation, three new categories (levels) of sexual assault were established. Basic sexual assault – minimal physical injury to the victim – is level 1 which is punishable by up to 10 years in prison; sexual assault with a weapon, threats to use a weapon or causing bodily harm, is level 2 which is punishable