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Book Launch: Shifting the Spotlight in the Law of Rape: The Responsibilities of Penetration’

  • May 1, 2026 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm

  • Harvard Theatre, Broadcasting Place, Leeds Beckett Law School

    Woodhouse Lane
    Leeds, West Yorkshire LS2 9PD
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Description

Professor Jonathan Herring (Oxford) & Dr Sorcha Mc Cormack (Leeds Beckett) are delighted to launch their book 'Shifting the Spotlight in the Law of Rape: The Responsibilities of Penetration’ which has recently been published with Anthem Press.

Join The Equalities Rights and Justice Research Group for a timely discussion calling for a fundamental rethink of how the law defines rape. The authors argue for a shift in legal focus away from the victim and toward the responsibility of the defendant, where it belongs: Rather than focusing on the way the victim dresses and behaviour in response to the rape, the focus will be on what the defendant believed justified him engaging in a sexual behaviour. At the heart of the authors proposal is the claim that having sex comes with responsibilities. In particular, a responsibility to ensure you have reasonable grounds to believe the other consents. Without that consent, a very serious wrong is being done. The central legal focus should therefore be on whether the defendant had sufficiently good reasons to proceed with having sex. 

The event includes

  • Lunch
  • Authors discussion
  • Q&A
  • Celebration & Refreshments

 

 

 

 

This Event is hosted by The Equalities, Rights and Justice (ERJ) research group who work together to address themes of:​

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  • Social justice from a local, national, and international lens​

  • Civil and political rights​

  • Social, economic, and cultural rights​

  • Vulnerability and ‘othering’ in criminal law and justice​

  • Access to equal rights and services for all minority groups​

  • Post-conflict justice                                                                                ​

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ERJ is interested to shape and share how we think about these themes through diverse activities, such as publications, seminars, workshops, and conferences. It aims to contribute to academic and public debates. It also seeks to create a vibrant and supportive research culture in which experienced and new researchers alike are able to develop, share, and test their exciting ideas.​

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To find out more, contact co directors Rachael r.l.aplin@leedsbeckett.ac.uk or Agata A.A.Fijalkowski@leedsbeckett.ac.



 

Date & Time

Fri, May 1, 2026 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Venue Details

Harvard Theatre, Broadcasting Place, Leeds Beckett Law School

Woodhouse Lane
Leeds, West Yorkshire LS2 9PD Harvard Theatre, Broadcasting Place, Leeds Beckett Law School
Shiftingthespotlight