January 21, 2026
Professor Susan Edwards’ book ‘Female Sexuality and the Law 2026’ is a reissue of her seminal 1981 publication. The work offers a detailed examination of rape law and the evolution of rape stereotypes from 1812 to 1980. Despite its historical scope, the new edition serves as a salient reminder that misogynist stereotypes continue to inform the law and its application. The book examines how criminal law and public policy have historically regulated female sexuality and shaped women’s autonomy exploring:
• the role of judicial interpretation in reinforcing or challenging gendered assumptions within legal decision‑making
• how laws relating to consent, sexual offences and bodily integrity continue to evolve- often unevenly
• analyses the impact of intersectionality—including class, race and social vulnerability and how women experience the legal system
• revisits landmark cases and legislative reforms to show how legal narratives about women’s sexuality have shifted over time
• underscores the importance of evidence‑based policy and feminist legal scholarship in shaping fairer, more inclusive legal frameworks
Find out more here
Susan Edwards is a Professor of Law at Northumbria University and a Door Tenant of Chambers. She is Emeritus Professor of Law of the University of Buckingham where she served as Dean of Law for many years. A barrister and expert witness she has written in the area of gender for over 45 years.