KembaraXtra - Legal Terms - Sexual Penetration of a Corpse

Sexual penetration of a corpse is a specific criminal offence under section 70 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003.

A person commits the offence if he or she:

1. intentionally penetrates any part of the body of a deceased person;
2. uses any part of his or her own body or any object; and
3. the penetration is sexual in nature.

Because the victim is deceased:

• questions of consent do not arise; and
• the offence exists to protect the dignity of the deceased and uphold public morality.

This offence criminalizes acts commonly described as necrophilia involving penetration.