Rapists Can No Longer Claim To Be Women

Male Rapists Can No Longer Identify As Women — individuals accused of rape will be recorded based on their biological sex In U.K.

By Marie O’Nealle

UK Supreme Court

United Kingdom  — In a landmark decision that is set to reshape the interpretation of sex-based protections in the United Kingdom, the UK Supreme Court ruled that the legal definition of "woman" under the Equality Act 2010 refers specifically to biological females. This unanimous ruling has wide-ranging consequences for how legal protections, single-sex spaces, and crime reporting are handled across the country.

The court's judgment clarifies that even individuals who have obtained a Gender Recognition Certificate under the Gender Recognition Act 2004 will not be considered "women" for the purposes of certain legal rights and protections unless they were born biologically female. In doing so, the ruling reaffirms the distinction between gender identity and biological sex within UK law.

One of the most immediate and controversial effects of this decision is in the area of criminal justice. Following the Supreme Court's guidance, Police Scotland has confirmed that individuals accused of rape will be recorded based on their biological sex, not their gender identity. Under Scottish law, rape involves non-consensual penetration with a penis, an act that only a biological male can commit. As a direct result of the court's clarification, rapist males who were born with a penis will no longer be referred to as women in legal matters, even if they identify as transgender women.

This policy shift gained national attention following the Isla Bryson case, in which a trans-identified male convicted of raping two women was initially housed in a women's prison, sparking public outrage. The Supreme Court's decision ensures that such misclassifications will no longer occur within the criminal justice system.

Advocates for sex-based rights, including prominent figures like author J.K. Rowling, have hailed the ruling as a "triumph for women's rights," emphasizing that accurate definitions are essential to preserving the integrity of single-sex spaces and services. As organizations and government bodies begin adjusting their policies to comply with this updated legal interpretation, the UK embarks on a new chapter in the ongoing debate over sex, gender, and equality. Whether viewed as a victory for clarity or a setback for inclusion, the Supreme Court's ruling is already making a profound impact on British society.