"Removing Condom Without Consent Is Rape"…New Zealand Court Sentences Man Who Engaged in Prostitution to Prison

Judge: "Threat to Women's Health, Causes Psychological Harm as Well"

Condom. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-ju] In New Zealand, the so-called 'stealthing,' the act of removing contraceptive devices without the partner's consent during sexual intercourse, has been classified as rape.

According to New Zealand media on the 23rd, the Wellington District Court sentenced a man in his 40s to 3 years and 9 months in prison the day before for removing a condom without the partner's consent during sexual intercourse and continuing the act despite the partner's refusal.

Previously, in 2018, a man who visited a brothel in New Zealand had sexual intercourse with a woman working in the sex industry.

This man, a migrant worker from a Southeast Asian country, removed the condom without the partner's consent during consensual sex.

Although the woman noticed the condom was removed late and expressed refusal, the man did not stop.

In New Zealand, prostitution is legal; however, both sex industry workers and clients are legally required to use protective devices.

Judge Steven Halleb stated, "The defendant knew that condoms must legally be worn during sexual intercourse when he visited the brothel," adding, "Nevertheless, removing the condom during intercourse and ignoring the woman's refusal constitutes rape."

He continued, "Such acts not only threaten the woman's health but also cause psychological trauma, emphasizing that sex industry workers who are raped are no different from other female victims."

Hailey Ryan, a detective from the Wellington Regional Crime Investigation Unit, explained, "This is the first time in New Zealand that a conviction has been made for this type of crime."

Dr. Samantha Keen from Victoria University said, "A guilty verdict has been delivered for removing a condom without the partner's consent during sexual intercourse. This means that the agreement to have sex with a condom on changes once the condom is removed."

Dr. Samantha added, "Removing a condom during intercourse not only threatens the partner's health but also poses the risk of unwanted pregnancy. The guilty verdict for stealthing acknowledges the seriousness of this act."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.