People in The Netherlands participate in Amnesty International’s Let’s Talk About Yes campaign in November 2020. Photo Credit: Phil Nijhuis
Society The NetherlandsMajor Law Amendment: Sex Without Consent Is Officially Rape
The Netherlands is amending its constitution by introducing a consent-based definition of rape, a historic victory for survivors of sexual assault and activists alike to better protect victims.
“By amending our outdated law and recognizing that sex without consent is rape, the Netherlands has taken an important step towards combatting widespread sexual violence and improving access to justice for survivors,” states Dagmar Oudshoorn, Director of Amnesty International Netherlands.
The Sexual Offences Act will be amended by removing the requirement that physical force, threat, or coercion must be involved in an act of rape. The Netherlands becomes the 17th of 31 European countries to recognize that sex without consent is rape. This amendment passed by the House of Representatives should be voted into law by the Senate within the next nine months.
