The Netherlands has passed a “only yes means yes” bill that clearly defines rape as sex without consent.
Hundreds of people are gathered at the Dam during the Women’s March 2022 to raise awareness of the importance of, among other things, sexual and reproductive rights, the climate, and to stand up against violence against women, in Amsterdam, on March 5th, 2022. (Photo by Romy Arroyo Fernandez/NurPhoto)
Previously, the law required proof that there was violence, threats or coercion in order for it to count as rape.
People hold placards against violence against women during a demonstration against sexual violence after ‘The Voice of Holland’ scandal, organized in Amsterdam, on January 29th, 2022. (Photo by Romy Arroyo Fernandez/NurPhoto)
But the new law expands the definition of rape to sex without consent.
A group of women hold signs in support of women rights during the women’s march in Amsterdam on March 5th, 2023. (Photo by Romy Arroyo Fernandez/NurPhoto) A woman is seen holding a placard during the demonstration ahead of International Women’s Day at the Dam Square in the city center in Amsterdam on March 5, 2023. (Photo by Ana Fernandez/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
This comes after lower House of Representatives voted to amend the country’s law on Tuesday July 4.
The bill is expected to be voted into law by the upper house of the Senate within the next 9 months.
Hundreds of people gathered at the Dam during the Women’s March 2022 to raise awareness of the importance of, among other things, sexual and reproductive rights, the climate, and to stand up against gender violence, in Amsterdam, on March 5th, 2022. (Photo by Romy Arroyo Fernandez/NurPhoto)
This would make the Netherlands the 17th country in Europe to adopt a law that recognizes non-consensual sex as rape.
Protesters are seen holding signs at a demonstration ahead of International Women’s Day at the Dam Square in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, on March 5, 2022. (Photo by Ana Fernandez/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Last year, the Netherlands experienced its first major #MeToo movement after several women on the Dutch version of the popular talent show “The Voice” said they had been sexually harassed.
A woman holds up a sign reading “consent is sexy!” at a women’s march demonstration on March 5, 2022 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. (Photo via Getty Images)
The cases led to an increase in women reporting sexual violence in the Netherlands.
