Kerala HC’s stand on what defines rape NewZ

*Trigger Warning*

 Kerala High Court expands rape definition

The definition of rape contained in Section 375 of the Indian Penal Code will take in sexual assaults, including the sexual acts committed between the thighs of the victim 

This judgment was passed on 4th August 2021. The court  stated that marital rape is a valid reason for divorce and non-penetrative sexual acts between thighs will be considered as rape. Expanding on this statement  the court declared that any act, though non-penetrative, that provides sexual gratification to the accused similar to that of penetrative sex, will be termed as rape under the Indian Penal Code. This is a much-needed outlook on rape. Non- penetrative sexual activities can be just as traumatic. Marital rape is also rape. A person being allowed to divorce their spouse because they raped them is a very credible reason. The Kerala High Court taking this initiative to make rape an umbrella term for many offending sexual activities is groundbreaking. I hope these progressive rulings empower victims to come forward and get the closure they desire.