The practice of removing a condom without consent during sexual activity may soon be criminalized, with offenders risking up to life in jail.
The term’stealthing’ will be forbidden in South Australia once the bill passes the lower house of the state legislature, following Wednesday’s approval by the upper house.
A 2018 Monash University study indicated that one in three women have been victimized by a “repugnant act of betrayal.”
Connie Bonaros, a member of the SA Best party, said in a statement that the’repugnant and revolting act of betrayal’ should have been criminalized years ago.
She stated, “Under the new law, the removal of a condom during sex without the consent of the other person will be penalized by up to life in jail.”
A poll of 2,000 participants conducted by Monash University indicated that one in three women and one in five males who have sex with other men have been victims of the practice.
ABC reported that the modification to the criminal law consolidation act defines stealthing as when a “person decides to engage in the activity due to a misrepresentation (whether express or inferred) regarding the use of a condom during the activity.”
Ms. Bonaros stated that the practice is “more prevalent than most people realize,” with the government supporting her private measure.
Attorney General Kyam Maher stated that the bill will ensure that the ‘insidious practice’ is criminalized under state law.
‘There have been numerous calls from campaigners to criminalize this under state law to ensure that this is ruled a crime specifically.
Other states, including Tasmania and the ACT, have already enacted similar legislation.