Spain Has Passed A “Only Yes Means Yes” Bill That Clearly Defines Rape As Sex Without Consent
Spain’s lower house of Congress has approved a new bill that states that lack of sexual consent is sufficient to prove sexual assault.
Spain’s lower house of Congress has approved a new bill that states that lack of sexual consent is sufficient to prove sexual assault.
The bill – known as the “only yes means yes” bill – comes after a series of court cases in which five men were jailed for sexual abuse, and not rape, after they gang-raped an 18-year-old woman at the running of the bulls festival in Pamplona in 2016.
The men’s lawyer at the time had argued that the woman had consented because she was immobile and had her eyes closed in the video taken by one of the men.
According to Spanish law, victims of sexual assault have to prove either intimidation, violence, or resistance had happened during the event for it to be considered sexual assault.
The “only yes means yes” bill expands the definition of aggression in sexual assault to lack of consent, which is defined as the clear expression of someone’s will.
Those found guilty of non-consensual sex can face up to years 15 years in prison.
The bill also seeks to establish special courts and 24-hour crisis centers for victims of sexual offenses, as well as increase jail penalties for work-related sexual harassment and make street harassment a criminal offense, according to the Guardian.
“Sexual freedom will finally become a right in our country and we are going to change violence for freedom, and are going to change fear for desire. From today, Spain is a country with more freedom and safer for all women,” the country’s equality minister, Irene Montero, said in her speech to Congress.
The bill will become law after the Spanish Senate votes in favor of it.
