International
Spain Approves Law Defining All Non-consensual Intercourse As R*pe
- Spain has long sought to position itself at the forefront of sexual politics and counter prevailing macho attitudes
Spain approved a law on Tuesday to define all non-consensual sex as rape, part of a legislative overhaul that toughens penalties for sexual harassment and mandates more support systems for victims.
It approved the bill five years after what became known as the ‘wolf pack’ case, in which five men gang-raped an 18-year old woman at Pamplona’s bull-running festival, causing public outrage and prompting calls to reform laws on sexual violence.
The draft still requires parliamentary approval, which is expected by the end of the year.
Based around a “yes means yes” model, which qualifies any non-consenting sex as rape, the law will bring Spain into line with 11 other European countries, including Sweden, Portugal and Britain, that use similar legal definitions.
Read also: 11-Year-Old Girl Becomes UK’s Youngest Mother After Falling Pregnant At 10
“What the new law does is put the victim at the center of the public response,” government spokesperson Maria Jesus Montero told a news conference. “Silence or passivity does not mean consent.”
People protesting against court’s decision to release “wolf pack” gang (La Manada) on bail.
Under existing legislation, a perpetrator must have used physical violence or intimidation for an assault to be classified as rape.
Stalking and street harassment, considered misdemeanors under current legislation, will become crimes, as will female genital mutilation.
Gang rape will be considered an aggravating factor entailing prison sentences of up to 15 years to deter gang crimes similar to others that have shocked Spaniards.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
Jeff Bezos Steps Down As Amazon Boss
In parallel, the measures call for the creation of a 24-hour sexual assault helpline and specialized children’s homes for underage victims.
Spain has long sought to position itself at the forefront of sexual politics and counter prevailing macho attitudes. It legalized gay marriage in 2007 and introduced a pioneering gender violence law in 2004.
Advertise or Publish a Story on EkoHot Blog:
Kindly contact us at [email protected]. Breaking stories should be sent to the above email and substantiated with pictorial evidence.
Citizen journalists will receive a token as data incentive.
Call or Whatsapp: 0803 561 7233, 0703 414 5611
