The European Parliament has proposed that any sex without explicit consent should be considered rape. The resolution was supported by 447 MEPs, with 160 against and 43 abstentions, reports Todayinfo.
Lawmakers aim to establish a unified EU definition of rape based on the absence of voluntary consent. The document explicitly states that silence, lack of resistance, absence of the word 'no', prior consent, or any relationship should not be considered consent. Neither marriage nor past relationships grant automatic right to sex.
Currently, EU countries have different approaches. Some states already operate under the 'only yes means yes' model, while others still require proof of force or threat. This complicates investigations and court proceedings.
'Most rapes are committed by acquaintances, at home, without physical violence, and victims are often paralyzed by fear rather than resisting. For a long time, the law was based on a completely wrong idea of what rape is,' said MEP Abir Al-Sahlani.
According to European studies, about 5% of women in the EU have experienced rape after the age of 15. The lack of a unified approach is considered one of the main problems in combating sexual violence. The European Commission must now propose a specific law. However, this stage may be prolonged. Several countries have already stated that criminal law should remain at the national level.
