New Trends in Iranian Criminal Law and Judicial Practice Concerning Crimes Contrary to Public Morality

Abstract

Every year in Iran, tens of thousands of men and women become victims of sexual assault, violent offenses, or cyber-based sexual crimes, with thousands of criminal cases related to sexual offenses being processed in courts. In their most severe forms, sexual crimes and sexual assault primarily affect women and children. Unfortunately, such sexual crimes are increasingly prevalent across most countries, with the number of victims growing daily, leading to numerous challenges and a heightened need for support from national criminal justice systems. Lawmakers are accelerating legislation and increasing legal investments to better support victims and control perpetrators of these crimes. However, these measures have become excessive, exceeding actual needs and real requirements. This legislative approach, in response to sexual crimes, is often inappropriate, and the mass production of criminal standards related to sexual offenses can result in weak, confusing, and ambiguous legal texts. Excessive legal investment frequently leads to "crime proliferation" and "an abundance of procedural exceptions." Such a trend not only fails to suppress sexual crimes but also fails to guarantee the protection of victims' interests through these proliferating and weak laws. The correct approach is for Iran’s legislative strategy to be carefully examined through diverse studies, critically assessing existing practices, identifying strengths and weaknesses, and implementing comprehensive reforms within the relevant criminal justice system to provide more principled support for victims of sexual crimes.