Section 1 VAPP 2015

Section 1 of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act 2015 is about Definition of rape. It provides as follows:

(1) A person commits the offence of rape if-

(a) he or she intentionally penetrates the vagina, anus or mouth of another person with any other part of his or her body or anything else;

(b) the other person does not consent to the penetration; or
(c) the consent is obtained by force or means of threat or intimidation of any kind or by fear of harm or by means of false and fraudulent representation as to the nature of the act or the use of any substance or additive capable of taking away the will of such person or in the case of a married person by impersonating his or her spouse.

(2) A person convicted of an offence under subsection (1) of this section is liable to imprisonment for life except –
(a) where the offender is less than 14 years of age, the offender is liable to a maximum of 14 years imprisonment;

(b) in all other cases, to a minimum of 12 years imprisonment without option of fine; or an

(c) in the case of rape by a group of persons, the offenders are liable jointly to a minimum of 20 years imprisonment without an option of fine.

(3) The Court shall also award appropriate compensation to the victim as it may deem fit in the circumstance.

(4) A register for convicted sexual offenders shall be maintained and accessible to public.

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