A new parliamentary petition is calling for New Zealand’s legal definition of rape to be expanded, ensuring survivors receive equal recognition regardless of their gender, anatomy or the nature of the sexual assault.
A petition submitted to Parliament is challenging New Zealand’s existing definition of rape, arguing that the law should recognise all forms of non-consensual sexual penetration equally.
Anthony Morrison, representing the Male Sex Worker Information Network, is calling for an amendment to section 128 of the Crimes Act 1961 to make the definition of rape gender and anatomy-neutral.
Under the proposed changes, rape would encompass non-consensual sexual penetration regardless of the genders or anatomy of those involved, or how the penetration occurred.
The petition also seeks explicit recognition of compelled penetration, where a person is forced to sexually penetrate someone else.
Morrison argues that the current legislation creates an unnecessary distinction between different forms of sexual assault, potentially denying some survivors equal recognition of their experiences.
He highlights the experiences of men, boys and non-binary people, arguing that the law should focus on the seriousness of the violation and the absence of consent, rather than the anatomy involved.
Currently, section 128 of the Crimes Act defines rape specifically as penetration of a person’s genitalia by another person’s penis, without consent and without a reasonable belief that consent has been given.
Other forms of non-consensual penetration, including anal penetration and penetration using objects, are classified as sexual violation by unlawful sexual connection.
Both offences fall under the broader legal category of sexual violation and carry the same maximum penalty of 20 years’ imprisonment.
The petition therefore focuses on how sexual violence is legally defined and recognised, rather than seeking to introduce criminal penalties for acts that are already offences.
While existing legislation provides protection for survivors whose experiences fall outside the narrow definition of rape, Morrison believes the terminology itself matters.
The proposed amendment would broaden the definition to recognise non-consensual penetration across all genders and anatomies, while ensuring people who are forced to penetrate another person are also explicitly recognised.
The petition opened for signatures on 5 October 2026 and will remain open until 25 September 2027.
