Swedish PM backs new 'sexual consent' law
Swedish politicians have agreed to back a sexual consent law that will enable more rape and sexual assault cases to be prosecuted.
If a person has not agreed in words or by their clear actions that they are willing to engage in sexual activity, then forcing or coercing them into a sexual act will be illegal. The hope is that this sends a clear message to society that any non-consensual sexual contact or activity is against the law and therefore liable to prosecution.
Under current Swedish law, the Swedish term for "rape" covers a multitude of sexual offences that may or may not have occured under threat or violent circumstances. Under the new sexual consent law, due to be legislated during 2018, perpetrators may be prosecuted even without the presence of violence or the threat of violence.
As the Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven said in a press conference, "It should be obvious. Sex should be voluntary. If it is not voluntary, then it is illegal." "If you are unsure, then refrain!"
In light of the last few months' #MeToo movement against sexual assault and harassment, the goverment has been working on ways to legislate more effectively against sexual assault and rape. The new sexual consent law is one of several initiatives that aim to put "the victim's interests in the first place" Löfven noted.
READ ALSO: All of The Local's articles on the #MeToo movement in Sweden
Past critics have claimed that the new law will not result in more court sentences, but the government and Löfven stress that it is also designed to change societal norms:
"We want to change society's attitudes and values".
As part of their agenda the government is also planning a series of related legislation, including improved victim support services, legislation against sexual exploitation and human trafficking, making sex purchases abroad illegal, and higher prison sentences for offenders. There is a 10-year plan in place to combat men's violence against women, and plans to introduce electronic tagging of domestic abusers.
READ ALSO: Swedish government wants to criminalize paying for sex abroad
The new legislation will put even higher demand on the police force, so the Swedish government is allocating an additional two billion kronor towards the Swedish police forces in 2018, with 7.1 billion kronor promised for the total period 2018-2020.
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If a person has not agreed in words or by their clear actions that they are willing to engage in sexual activity, then forcing or coercing them into a sexual act will be illegal. The hope is that this sends a clear message to society that any non-consensual sexual contact or activity is against the law and therefore liable to prosecution.
Under current Swedish law, the Swedish term for "rape" covers a multitude of sexual offences that may or may not have occured under threat or violent circumstances. Under the new sexual consent law, due to be legislated during 2018, perpetrators may be prosecuted even without the presence of violence or the threat of violence.
As the Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven said in a press conference, "It should be obvious. Sex should be voluntary. If it is not voluntary, then it is illegal." "If you are unsure, then refrain!"
In light of the last few months' #MeToo movement against sexual assault and harassment, the goverment has been working on ways to legislate more effectively against sexual assault and rape. The new sexual consent law is one of several initiatives that aim to put "the victim's interests in the first place" Löfven noted.
READ ALSO: All of The Local's articles on the #MeToo movement in Sweden
Past critics have claimed that the new law will not result in more court sentences, but the government and Löfven stress that it is also designed to change societal norms:
"We want to change society's attitudes and values".
As part of their agenda the government is also planning a series of related legislation, including improved victim support services, legislation against sexual exploitation and human trafficking, making sex purchases abroad illegal, and higher prison sentences for offenders. There is a 10-year plan in place to combat men's violence against women, and plans to introduce electronic tagging of domestic abusers.
READ ALSO: Swedish government wants to criminalize paying for sex abroad
The new legislation will put even higher demand on the police force, so the Swedish government is allocating an additional two billion kronor towards the Swedish police forces in 2018, with 7.1 billion kronor promised for the total period 2018-2020.
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