Résumé du livre
This report presents the findings of research into the success of section 41 of the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999, in controlling the introduction of evidence about the complainant's previous sexual behaviour in sex offence trials. Few young people or adults in the twenty-first century have had only one sexual partner. The majority of the population, therefore, has a 'sexual history'. Yet these sexual experiences can take on additional and negative meanings when introduced as 'evidence' in sexual offence trials. Findings suggest that although the Court of Appeal has understood the purpose of section 41 and is doing its best to interpret it as a rule of exclusion, some decisions give cause for concern that the purpose of the legislation may be undermined.