Offences against the Person Act 1875
Encyclopedia
The Offences against the Person Act 1875 (38 & 39 Vict. c. 94) was an Act
of the Parliament
of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
(as it then was). Its purpose was to extend the scope of sexual offences against children.
with savings.
(which created a felony in relation only to girls under 10). When the Act was repealed, it was in turn replaced by section 4 of the Criminal Law Amendment Act 1885
(increasing the age to 13).
(which created a misdemeanour in relation to girls between 10 and 12). When the Act was repealed, it was turn replaced by section 5(1) of the Criminal Law Amendment Act 1885
(changing the age range to 13 to 16).
(as amended by this Act) were one Act. Its effect was that the definition of carnal knowledge
provided by section 63 of that Act applied to the offences created by sections 3 and 4 of this Act.
Act of Parliament
An Act of Parliament is a statute enacted as primary legislation by a national or sub-national parliament. In the Republic of Ireland the term Act of the Oireachtas is used, and in the United States the term Act of Congress is used.In Commonwealth countries, the term is used both in a narrow...
of the Parliament
Parliament of the United Kingdom
The Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the supreme legislative body in the United Kingdom, British Crown dependencies and British overseas territories, located in London...
of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland was the formal name of the United Kingdom during the period when what is now the Republic of Ireland formed a part of it....
(as it then was). Its purpose was to extend the scope of sexual offences against children.
Section 2
This section repealed sections 50 and 51 of the Offences against the Person Act 1861Offences Against The Person Act 1861
The Offences against the Person Act 1861 is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. It consolidated provisions related to offences against the person from a number of earlier statutes into a single Act...
with savings.
Section 3 - Abusing a girl under 12
This section replaced section 50 of the Offences against the Person Act 1861Offences Against The Person Act 1861
The Offences against the Person Act 1861 is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. It consolidated provisions related to offences against the person from a number of earlier statutes into a single Act...
(which created a felony in relation only to girls under 10). When the Act was repealed, it was in turn replaced by section 4 of the Criminal Law Amendment Act 1885
Criminal Law Amendment Act 1885
The Criminal Law Amendment Act 1885 , or "An Act to make further provision for the Protection of Women and Girls, the suppression of brothels, and other purposes", was the latest in a 25-year series of legislation in the United Kingdom beginning with the Offences against the Person Act 1861 that...
(increasing the age to 13).
Section 4 - Abusing a girl between 12 and 13
This section replaced section 51 of the Offences against the Person Act 1861Offences Against The Person Act 1861
The Offences against the Person Act 1861 is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. It consolidated provisions related to offences against the person from a number of earlier statutes into a single Act...
(which created a misdemeanour in relation to girls between 10 and 12). When the Act was repealed, it was turn replaced by section 5(1) of the Criminal Law Amendment Act 1885
Criminal Law Amendment Act 1885
The Criminal Law Amendment Act 1885 , or "An Act to make further provision for the Protection of Women and Girls, the suppression of brothels, and other purposes", was the latest in a 25-year series of legislation in the United Kingdom beginning with the Offences against the Person Act 1861 that...
(changing the age range to 13 to 16).
Section 5
This section provided that the Act was to be construed as though it and the Offences against the Person Act 1861Offences Against The Person Act 1861
The Offences against the Person Act 1861 is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. It consolidated provisions related to offences against the person from a number of earlier statutes into a single Act...
(as amended by this Act) were one Act. Its effect was that the definition of carnal knowledge
Carnal knowledge
Carnal knowledge is an archaic or legal euphemism for sexual intercourse. The term derives from the Biblical usage of the verb know/knew, as in the King James and other versions, a euphemism for sexual conduct...
provided by section 63 of that Act applied to the offences created by sections 3 and 4 of this Act.