Coercion to Sexual Acts: Issues of Interpretation and Application

The paper analyzes the features of the regulation of objective and subjective characteristics of the elements of the crime under Art. 133 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, their influence on application of the aforementioned norm. The paper examines the category of "compulsion", the concept of "other sexual actions", their correlation with the definition of "sexual harassment". The paper resorts to legal and etymological approaches to the understanding and content of these terms, gives recommendations for improving the legislative and law enforcement practice in this area. The author analyzes the approach to the interpretation of the content aspects of compulsion—encouragement/compulsion. The issue of the moment of the end of the criminal act under consideration (process/result) is examined. The author determines and substantiates deficiencies in the regulation of methods of coercion to actions of a sexual nature. The concept of "dependence" in the considered area, its relationship with the state of helplessness is investigated. The essential and substantive characteristics of the threat as a method of coercion to sexual actions (criteria and their interpretation) are analyzed. Also, the author examines the issue of qualifying characteristics of the elements of the crime under Art. 133 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation and problems of interpretation of the characteristics of the subject matter, motives and purpose of this act. The complexity of the delimitation of the aforementioned criminal act from an insignificant offense, a moral offense, an administrative offense, and related crimes are indicated. The author also analyzes the issue of qualification of the act under Art. 133 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation and its impact on its relationship with violent sexual crimes. The paper presents an analysis of the legislation of the CIS countries on the issue under consideration and provides for historical summary about the evolution of the domestic legislative approach in the aforementioned area. The determinants of law enforcement problems are identified and indicated. Conclusions and recommendations are based on the study of judicial practice, researchers’ opinions, the RF Supreme Court standing, the rules applied to qualify criminal acts.

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