2003.001 Sexual Ethics and Criminal Law, Lester ... - Francis Bennion

Obviously in this report I have only been able to scratch the surface
69.
the problem. My main object has been to alert the public to the
of
and extensive nature of these intrusive proposals. What
radical
be done? I believe this grossly defective Bill should not be
should
start again. Belatedly, it should work out what ought to be the
should
basis of its proposals. It should acknowledge that human
ethical
is a delicate issue, not to be wrapped in bureaucratic red
sexuality
It needs to recognise that though much harm is done by sexual
tape.
who need to be contained, sex is essentially an intensely
predators,
and personal matter. State forces should not come bursting
private
the bedroom unless the need is dire. Children should not be
into
by hysterical adults as they strive to come to terms with
frightened
life force, as all past children have done. The mentally handicapped,
the
who su€er enough, should not, on top of their other dep-
be denied sexual ful®lment. Sex should not be seen as a
rivations,
by anyone.
bogey
When, at the age of eighty, I read through this Bill I was dismayed.
70.
clause after plonking clause, framed in crass civil service
Plonking
to the peril of our cherished humanity. Civilisation can
bedrooms,
do better.
surely
Early media comment bears out my view of the Bill. In its Thunderer
71.
the Times said ±
column
Victoria's alleged scuppering of the criminalisation of
Queen
on the ground that it would be impossible to imagine
lesbianism
grossness in the female sex had much to be said for it. There
such
some things that the law should just steer clear of, on the
are
that they would not normally occur to people. David
ground
Sexual O€ences Bill, however, brings on to the statute
Blunkett's
Conclusion
given a second reading. It should be scrapped, and the Home O
ce
language, brings the police o
cer and social worker into our nation's
book new crimes of having sex with corpses and animals, as well as
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