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The U.S. Attorney General announced a newly revised definition of rape in 2012.

“(Rape is ) the penetration, no matter how slight, of the vagina or anus with any body part or object, or penetration by a sex organ of another person, without the consent of the victim,” the U.S. Justice Department definition states.

It replaced the outdated, 1927 definition of “carnal knowledge of a female, forced and against her will.”

The updated definition also includes any gender of victim or perpetrator, not just women being raped by men.

It also recognizes that rape with an object can be as traumatic as the penile/vaginal rape.

Toronto defence lawyer Adam Weisberg defended the judge in the difficult St. Mike’s sentencing case.

“His use of the term ‘simulated rape’ … does not in any way lessen the seriousness of his characterization of the sexual assaults,” he stated.

“The words ‘simulated rape’ could mean these sexual assaults involved power and control but were missing the element of sexual gratification (for the perpetrators),” said Weisberg.

“Justice Weagant correctly identified the motive behind these terrible acts as ‘humiliation and subordination.’ He could also mean ‘simulated rape’ as the broomstick was simulating a penis,” said Weisberg.

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All of the psychological assessments of the culprits “concluded that the stage was set for these terrible events by existing school culture,” said Weagant.

“This normalization of assaultive behaviour among the boys appears to have created an environment at the school, which provided the opportunity for even more concerning behaviours to take place,” said Weagant.

He said a survey of the school found 22% of current students reported being bullied while 51% reported they witnessed bullying at the school.

spazzano@postmedia.com