Only Yes Means Yes: Non-Consensual Sex Will Now Be Treated As Rape In Spain

In a landmark judgement, all non-consensual sex will now be treated as rape in Spain under the new 'Only yes means yes' laws approved by the government.

This has come in the light of mass protests over the Wolf Pack case. The bill was approved by Spanish government on March 4 according to reports, fulfilling the election promises to strengthen laws in defense of women's rights.

Reuters

The law intends to establish specialised courts for dealing with sexual offences and round-the-clock recovery centres for victims.

Under the new law, jail penalties for work-related sexual harassment will increase to up to two years and catcalling will also be a criminal offence.

In the infamous Wolf Pack case in 2016, a woman was gangraped by five men. They were jailed for sexual abuse after raping the woman at Pamplona bull-running festival.

Reuters

Initially, they were cleared of more serious charges because there was no evidence violence was used. Under the previous law if the woman was in shock or too stunned to fight back the sex attacks would not have been considered rape.

Under the new law, rape will be decided by the question of consent.

Mass protests erupted against the judgement in 2019 in the wake of global #MeToo movement. An appeal was made in 2019 in which the Supreme Court ruled the men had committed rape.

Reuters

¡°Spain will be a safer country for women with the approval of this law. Women's rights and sexual freedoms will never again be stranded down a blind alley,¡± Equality Minister Irene Montero reportedly said at a news briefing.

Other countries should take note of this landmark judgement. More often than not a woman who is being assaulted, harassed or raped is physically and mentally incapable to fight or respond. That CANNOT be treated as consent.