'Sexual Assault' becomes 'gender neutral'

New Delhi, Mar 17: Sexual assault, which is broadly referred to as rape, finally is becoming gender neutral in India.

The Indian Penal Code (IPC) which seeks to amend and replace the word "rape" with "sexual assault", is not intended to dilute the definition of rape but to make it more "gender neutral", said home minsiter P Chindambaram on Tuesday.

As per Section 375 of IPC, penetration is sufficient to constitute sexual intercourse amounting to rape. By replacing the word " rape " with "sexual assualt" will include all sexual crimes inflicted on women, men and children.

This amendment is being sought to prevent sexual crimes prevalent among homosexuals.

Crimes like sodomy, fingering, insertion of foreign object and other similar offences in addition to rape will all come under the ambit of "sexual assualt" hereafter.

Making sexual assault "gender neutral" will imply that the relevant sections of IPC can be slapped on accused of any gender who has committed the thus broadening its reach.

According to National Crime Records Bureau cases of child rape continue to rise. A total of 4,721 cases were registered during 2006, 5,045 in 2007 and 5,446 in 2008 across the country. The data also indicated that over two lakh women were victims of sexual crimes in the country during the period 2006-2008.

The home ministry has also sought the views of the law ministry on the proposed amendment Bill.