Criminalizing Sex: A Unified Liberal Theory (Oxford Monographs on Criminal Law and Justice)

How should a liberal system of criminal law adequately protect individuals in their right not to be subjected to sexual contact against their will, while also safeguarding their right to engage in (private consensual) sexual conduct in which they do wish to participate? Criminalizing Sex develops a framework for harmonizing these goals in the context of a wide range of nonconsensual, consensual, and aconsensual sexual offenses (hence, the "unified" nature of the theory) -- including rape and sexual assault in a variety of forms, sexual harassment, voyeurism, indecent exposure, incest, sadomasochistic assault, prostitution, bestiality, and necrophilia. Taking on a fascinating collection of moral and legal puzzles, arising out of real-world cases of alleged sexual misconduct, the book situates the theory of sexual offenses in the current cultural context -- including the #MeToo movement and the ongoing revision of the American Law Institute's Model Penal Code. It is sure to spark conversations, and potentially change the way we think about some of the most contentious legal, moral, and social issues of the day.