Indecency-law reform urged

Press, 10 January 1981, Page 6

Indecency-law reform urged

PA jA.. Wellington The ’ Human Rights Commission will recommend to the Government that it abolish distinctions in New Zealand’s indecency laws between $ males and females. The ' commission said that there-was a lack of - consistency in those sections of the Crimes Act which covered unddcency. The commission was ■ reporting on submissions made to it, by the--National Gay Rights Coalition; which seeks> changes in the laws relating to homosexuality. It also sefcks to have “sexual orientation” added to the Human' Rights Commission Acts? as ground under which, discrimination is illegal but.thiS; was rejected by thfe.coriimission.

n The Crimes Act provides for a maximum sentence of - 10 years jail for indecent 3 acts between a man and a - boy but only a maximum of - seven years "for the same of- - fence involving a woman . and a girl. The act also prot vides for a maximum jail - term of five years for inf decency between males but - there is no similar section relating to females. - The commission said that i on the face of it the legislar tion appeared to be inconi sistent, with discriminatory ; provisions based on sex'; It t would recommend to the I Government that the rele--5 vant' sections of the act be i referred to the Criminal Law ■ Reform Committee to re- ■ frame themJ-sb as to make t distinction between males and femalfes. ; --? ;