Thursday, December 13, 2018

Definition of Consent in Canadian Courts


Consent is a crucial factor to establish whenever the court is dealing with a sexual assault case. The Crown often prosecutes cases of sexual assault with an added degree of extra thoroughness although it goes without saying that all criminal charges are treated as a serious matter.  For this reason, you need a sexual assault lawyer in Toronto who have handled similar cases successfully when you’re charged with sexual assault.

In Canada, the individual who initiated or pursued the sexual activity should make sure that the other individual is freely participating with consent or risk getting charged with sexual assault. But what is consent? How is consent defined in Canada?

What Is Consent?

Canada’s Criminal Code defines consent as the voluntary agreement to engage in sexual activity under 273.1(1) subsection. If the complainant did not explicitly agree to engage in sexual activity with the accused, then there is no consent.

What Is Non-Consent?

Non-consent under the Criminal Code’s Section 266 is defined as the complainant not resisting or submits to the act because of the following applied to the complainant or another person:
  • ·        Application of force
  • ·        Threats
  • ·        Fear of the application of force
  • ·        fraud
  • ·        exercise of authority

Subsection 273.1(2) clarifies that no consent is applicable in the following situations as well:
  • ·        When consent was given by anyone else besides the complainant
  • ·        When the complainant is not capable of giving consent (intoxicated or unconscious)
  • ·        When the complainant was induced to participate because of accused’s abuse of authority or position of trust
  • ·        When the complainant expresses not wanting to engage in sexual activity either by behavior or words
  • ·        When the complainant expressed not wanting to continue with the sexual activity despite earlier consent given

Consent cannot also be given if the accused mistakenly believed consent was given due to intoxication, not making sure consent was given, or choosing to ignore words or signals that would signify consent wasn’t given.

Note that the age of consent in Canada is 16 years with exceptions given to 14 to 15 years old as well as 12 to 13 years old if the partner can meet several criteria. This is best discussed with a sexual assault lawyer for clarity.

Contact Calvin Barry Law if you or someone you know has been charged with sexual assault. Calvin Barry has decades of expertise as a criminal defence attorney and can help you defend your assault case successfully.