Historic Human Rights Victory: Rape Definition Expanded

On June 16, Switzerland will formally expand its definition of rape in what is being called a “historic victory for human rights.”

“The amendment, which will be formally voted in Parliament on 16 June, marks the end to the outdated definition of rape that required the use of physical force, threat or coercion, and considered only women as victims. The law now recognizes that all sex without consent is rape,” says Amnesty International’s Head of Women’s Rights in Switzerland, Cyrielle Huguenot.

The amendment marks a victory for both survivors of sexual violence and for the campaigners who worked tirelessly to get the law amended. As for the future, Huguenot believes that information and prevention campaigns could be an effective way to further ensure institutional and social change regarding rape.