A NSW sexual health nurse has called on the state to criminalise the non-consensual removal of a condom during sex, saying it should be labelled what it truly is - sexual assault.
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The comments follow the Australian Capital Territory's move to make the practice - referred to as stealthing - illegal after the new law brought forward by the opposition passed in the Legislative Assembly on Thursday.
William Hooke, a clinical nurse consultant of sexual health and HIV from NSW's Riverina region, said there is an argument that the act is already illegal across Australia, as it is done without consent, but it is not explicitly stated.
"Having the regulation set out as it will be in the ACT takes away the ability for legal teams to argue it is a grey area," he said.
"We don't just need NSW to come to the table. Nationally, we need everyone to come to the table.
"Anyone who deceives a sexual partner and removes protection without consent should be held liable and be prosecuted."
Mr Hooke said the term used "stealthing" did not fully convey the consequences and harm of such actions. He said it's time it was recognised for what it is.
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"The use of the term stealthing is a problem itself as it allows people to think of it as just a trick," Mr Hooke said.
"We have to call it out for what it is - sexual assault.
"Anyone who has been impacted by such an act, please come forward for support and assistance."
Mr Hooke said that the victims of stealthing that come forward in Riverina clinics were often from vulnerable groups such as people who speak English as a second language and sex industry workers.
"Those barriers creator a higher risk," he said.
"As we already know, condomless acts of sex do increase the risk of sexually transmitted infections.
"If a sexual partner does remove the condom without consent, they put the other person at risk."
Jan Roberts, a Wagga Women's Health Centre patron, said a common argument is it would be "too hard to prove".
But, she said if it were criminalised, it would start to change, "albeit slowly", the culture.
"It's not just the removing of condoms. There have been cases of men putting holes in them," Ms Roberts said.
"Whatever it is they're doing, it's abuse, and it's reprehensible.
"Ultimately, I say, you are not raising these issues because they are easy. You are raising them because they are just."
Ms Roberts acknowledged the basis of the legal system, being innocent until proven guilty, was sound.
However, she said the justice process itself was filled with "unreasonable aspects".
"That is the culture and attitude of police when a woman makes a complaint and if she can access support," Ms Roberts said.
"The woman is put under quite a lot of pressure, so some think 'why would I report it?'.
"It's a complex situation, but we have to start somewhere to address this issue."