LRC proposes change to law on sexual offences

Changes could soon be made to our laws regarding sexual offences.

The Law Reform Commission (LRC) is proposing to change the wording of Section 5 of the Act which deals with sexual offences involving those with mental disabilities.

The current law, which dates back to 1993, defines a person with a mental disability as someone who is not capable of living an independent life and therefore cannot protect themselves from sexual exploitation.

However, the LRC wants this to change, so that it says that the real test of whether someone is capable of having sexual intercourse is whether they can consent to it, regardless of their intellectual capacity.

"The Commission is inviting submissions from anybody until December 31," said Raymond Byrne,

Director of Research at the LRC.

"The Commission will be publishing its final report next year and making final recommendations then."