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2. SEX IN THE FAMILY

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Sexual Abuse of Children
This chapter is in the book Sexual Abuse of Children
2. SEX IN THE FAMILY Joyce Askwith, MSW Coordinator Human Sexuality Program McMaster University Medical Center Incest is a word that quickly raises disgust in the minds of many people and yet what is it? Why such strong feelings against it? The dictionary definition is "intercourse between persons so closely related that marriage between them is f~rbidden by law or taboo". The offense of incest is defined in the Canadian Criminal Code as "sexual intercourse between two people who, by blood relationship, are either parent and child, brother and sister, half-brother and half-sister or grandparent and grandchild". It is not an offense where the parties do not know they are blood relatives. To be even more precise, sexual intercourse is penile vaginal penetration with or without ejaculation. Therefore, there are a number of things that are not incest such as anal or oral penetration to ejaculation. Many other types of fondling and loving are not technically incest. Cousins, nieces and nephews and all male to male contacts are exempt. Adoption relationships, foster children and wards are under another section of the code. Some acts will come under the section which prohibits any male person from having sexual intercourse with a female person who is not his wife and who is under the age of 14 years or with a woman of previously chaste character who is not his wife and is between the ages of 14 and 16. "Chaste" of course means no previous vaginal penile penetration.
© 2019 University of Toronto Press, Toronto

2. SEX IN THE FAMILY Joyce Askwith, MSW Coordinator Human Sexuality Program McMaster University Medical Center Incest is a word that quickly raises disgust in the minds of many people and yet what is it? Why such strong feelings against it? The dictionary definition is "intercourse between persons so closely related that marriage between them is f~rbidden by law or taboo". The offense of incest is defined in the Canadian Criminal Code as "sexual intercourse between two people who, by blood relationship, are either parent and child, brother and sister, half-brother and half-sister or grandparent and grandchild". It is not an offense where the parties do not know they are blood relatives. To be even more precise, sexual intercourse is penile vaginal penetration with or without ejaculation. Therefore, there are a number of things that are not incest such as anal or oral penetration to ejaculation. Many other types of fondling and loving are not technically incest. Cousins, nieces and nephews and all male to male contacts are exempt. Adoption relationships, foster children and wards are under another section of the code. Some acts will come under the section which prohibits any male person from having sexual intercourse with a female person who is not his wife and who is under the age of 14 years or with a woman of previously chaste character who is not his wife and is between the ages of 14 and 16. "Chaste" of course means no previous vaginal penile penetration.
© 2019 University of Toronto Press, Toronto
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