International Journal of Off ender T herapy and Comparative Cr iminology Rape Law Reform in Canada Rape Law Reform in Canada: The Success and Limits of Legislation

Abstract: This article reviews the major changes and impacts of rape law reform in Canada. It is held that the 1983 reform addressed some of the key issues relating to sexual assault. In spite of the 1983 legislation, it is clear that critical issues linger in many areas. These include underreporting of sexual assault; low founding, charging, and conviction rates; the status of rape-shield rules; and the defence of honest but mistaken belief of consent. Collective and social actions on the part of women’s groups and education are seen as important policy tools to counter sexual assault in our society. GENDER BIAS AND RAPE LAW Legislation is popularly considered to be a potent weapon to combat sexual aggression and achieve justice for women. As rape has become an important social and political issue in industrialized countries, criminal justice professionals and women’s associations alike demand new legislation to deal with this problem. Not surprisingly, many advanced industrialized countries have introduced some form of rape law reform in the past two decades (Allison & Wrightsman, 1993; Berger