An evaluation of sexual history evidence in sexual crimes cases in Malaysia

This article is to evaluate the subject of the relevance of sexual history evidence in Malaysia. This includes the issue of the admissibility of evidence about the complainant’s sexual history, which is an issue of relevancy that is usually determined under the so-called rape shield law. As an illu...

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Main Author: Mohamad Yunus, Mohamad Ismail
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Sweet & Maxwell Malaysia 2018
Subjects:
Online Access:http://irep.iium.edu.my/71793/
http://irep.iium.edu.my/71793/1/71793_An%20Evaluation%20of%20Sexual%20HIstory.pdf
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author Mohamad Yunus, Mohamad Ismail
author_facet Mohamad Yunus, Mohamad Ismail
author_sort Mohamad Yunus, Mohamad Ismail
building IIUM Repository
collection Online Access
description This article is to evaluate the subject of the relevance of sexual history evidence in Malaysia. This includes the issue of the admissibility of evidence about the complainant’s sexual history, which is an issue of relevancy that is usually determined under the so-called rape shield law. As an illustration, if A is on trial for the rape of B, should evidence that B flirted with C and D earlier in the evening be allowed? If B previously had consensual sex with both C and D, does that show that she is more likely to have consented to sex with A? Would it make a difference if on each occasion had she been drinking, picked up by the men in the same circumstances, and had sex in the same way?”. This issue has been debated widely due to its prejudicial nature. Therefore, in this article, the comparison with regards to the position of sexual history evidence in several countries like England, India, Singapore as well as Malaysia will be made. In view of this debatable issue, the effect of allowing the sexual history evidence in sexual crime trial, as well as the end product of limiting such evidence in the court of law, shall be explained thoroughly. Lastly, an attempt is also made to come up with an evaluation as to whether the law should be reformed or is there any other suggestions and recommendations to improve the current position of sexual history evidence and if it were to happen in Malaysia.
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spelling iium-717932019-07-12T02:29:36Z http://irep.iium.edu.my/71793/ An evaluation of sexual history evidence in sexual crimes cases in Malaysia Mohamad Yunus, Mohamad Ismail K Law (General) KBP Islamic Law KD England and Wales KPG Malaysia This article is to evaluate the subject of the relevance of sexual history evidence in Malaysia. This includes the issue of the admissibility of evidence about the complainant’s sexual history, which is an issue of relevancy that is usually determined under the so-called rape shield law. As an illustration, if A is on trial for the rape of B, should evidence that B flirted with C and D earlier in the evening be allowed? If B previously had consensual sex with both C and D, does that show that she is more likely to have consented to sex with A? Would it make a difference if on each occasion had she been drinking, picked up by the men in the same circumstances, and had sex in the same way?”. This issue has been debated widely due to its prejudicial nature. Therefore, in this article, the comparison with regards to the position of sexual history evidence in several countries like England, India, Singapore as well as Malaysia will be made. In view of this debatable issue, the effect of allowing the sexual history evidence in sexual crime trial, as well as the end product of limiting such evidence in the court of law, shall be explained thoroughly. Lastly, an attempt is also made to come up with an evaluation as to whether the law should be reformed or is there any other suggestions and recommendations to improve the current position of sexual history evidence and if it were to happen in Malaysia. Sweet & Maxwell Malaysia 2018-12-19 Article PeerReviewed application/pdf en http://irep.iium.edu.my/71793/1/71793_An%20Evaluation%20of%20Sexual%20HIstory.pdf Mohamad Yunus, Mohamad Ismail (2018) An evaluation of sexual history evidence in sexual crimes cases in Malaysia. The Law Review 2018. pp. 418-429. ISSN 1985-0891 http://www.sweetandmaxwellasia.com.my/BookStore/showProduct.asp?countrycode=MLY&id=2361&ptab=1&bookstore=1&g=x4&ec=QSNBGDKTJJVZSVHOPTPJVMABXRFBGBIWITAPUEIDOBJKXVS KDN PP19411/12/2018 (035005)
spellingShingle K Law (General)
KBP Islamic Law
KD England and Wales
KPG Malaysia
Mohamad Yunus, Mohamad Ismail
An evaluation of sexual history evidence in sexual crimes cases in Malaysia
title An evaluation of sexual history evidence in sexual crimes cases in Malaysia
title_full An evaluation of sexual history evidence in sexual crimes cases in Malaysia
title_fullStr An evaluation of sexual history evidence in sexual crimes cases in Malaysia
title_full_unstemmed An evaluation of sexual history evidence in sexual crimes cases in Malaysia
title_short An evaluation of sexual history evidence in sexual crimes cases in Malaysia
title_sort evaluation of sexual history evidence in sexual crimes cases in malaysia
topic K Law (General)
KBP Islamic Law
KD England and Wales
KPG Malaysia
url http://irep.iium.edu.my/71793/
http://irep.iium.edu.my/71793/
http://irep.iium.edu.my/71793/
http://irep.iium.edu.my/71793/1/71793_An%20Evaluation%20of%20Sexual%20HIstory.pdf