Petitions/Review and expand the definition of rape in law
StatusOngoing
Opened27 May 2026
Closes
Government response
Parliamentary debateNot eligible
Milestones

Currently, under the law, men and women who are sexually assaulted by women cannot be seen as rape victims due to a definition focused on penetration with a penis, even though many people view this as rape. Female perpetrators can only be charged with other sexual offences. We think this is wrong.

The law should change to include all perpetrators. The government has a large majority and could expand the law or change it entirely to something gender neutral such as any form of sex that is without consent. We think this would better recognise victims in the law and would mean all victims are taken more seriously but is only the first step to support victims. We think the government could easily do this. If you sign this, you could contribute to it being in public debate and to there being the stated change.

10,000
100,000

Constituency engagement ranking

Leigh Ingham
1Leigh Ingham MP
Stafford
7
Sir Gavin Williamson
2Sir Gavin Williamson MP
Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge
6
Melanie Onn
3Melanie Onn MP
Great Grimsby and Cleethorpes
4
Dr Allison Gardner
4Dr Allison Gardner MP
Stoke-on-Trent South
4
Rosie Duffield
5Rosie Duffield MP
Canterbury
2
Baggy Shanker
6Baggy Shanker MP
Derby South
2
Adam Jogee
7Adam Jogee MP
Newcastle-under-Lyme
2
Markus Campbell-Savours
8Markus Campbell-Savours MP
Penrith and Solway
2
Stephen Morgan
9Stephen Morgan MP
Portsmouth South
2
Sean Woodcock
10Sean Woodcock MP
Banbury
1