The ACT yesterday became the first Australian jurisdiction to specifically criminalise ‘stealthing’ (the non-consensual removal of a condom during sex) after a Bill that Canberra Liberals Leader Elizabeth Lee introduced in April passed the Legislative Assembly with unanimous support.

Intentional fraudulent representation about the use of a condom during sex will now be considered sexual assault.

“Stealthing is a traumatic thing for any person to go through, and I am very proud that the ACT has passed nation-leading reforms to specifically criminalise this heinous act,” Ms Lee said.

“A stealthing case has been before the Victorian courts for over two years, and the victim is still without a result. We cannot wait for cases to come before courts before stealthing is specifically outlawed. We need to act proactively and send a clear message to the community that this behaviour is unacceptable, and a crime.”

The Canberra Liberals consulted peak bodies, lawyers, academics, and advocacy groups to create their Bill, and said they overwhelmingly supported Ms Lee’s effort to ensure ACT laws clearly and accurately reflect what the community deemed unacceptable behaviour.

“I am incredibly proud that the ACT has been able to legislate specifically to criminalise stealthing so that victims and potential victims know that the law is on their side,” Ms Lee said.

“I am under no delusion that legislation alone will stop stealthing from happening, but it is a step in the right direction. Along with public awareness and education, I am confident that we can all work together to stamp out this act.

“I hope that my legislation will motivate other jurisdictions to review their current laws and bring forward their own reforms to specifically criminalise stealthing,” Ms Lee concluded.