After much debate, the law of full guarantee of sexual freedom » was adopted, by 205 against 141 (and three abstentions), in the Chamber of Deputies on Thursday 25 August. The text had been approved by the lower house of Parliament in first reading in May, but the Senate had introduced a modification which made necessary a new vote.
” Yes, it’s so. » « Yes, it is yes. This is the slogan proclaimed in Spain by feminists to define consent for a sexual relationship, and it is also the formula that sums up well the most crucial point of the new legislation, reports our correspondent in Madrid, Francois Musseau. Reforming the Penal Code, it makes “consent” a central element that must be “ freely manifested by acts which (…) clearly express the will of the person “.
Until now, in cases of sexual violence, the female victim had to demonstrate that the aggressor was in the wrong. From now on, if there has been no explicit consent, the assault will be defined as rape, pure and simple, and not as sexual abuse, which is criminally less severe.
” A great victory »
As soon as a woman is attacked, she will be able to contact one of these new crisis centres, where she will be taken care of by doctors and psychologists, then, possibly, in the event of legal action, she will be assisted by a lawyer. . Some 66 million euros of European funds will be released to finance 50 crisis centers – one per province – to help women in difficulty. ” It’s a big win “Reacted the secretary for equality of the ruling socialist party, Andrea Fernandez.
Feminists are savoring their victory 6 years after a gang rape in Pamplona in July 2016. The so-called “La Meute” case has remained sadly famous: an 18-year-old girl was attacked by a group of five men. In this case, the whole debate revolved around consent, because the victim would not have expressed a clear and definite “no”. From now on, for there to be no rape, it will be necessary that a ” yes plain and clear is manifested.
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