"Unequivocal 'Yes':" Norway Plans to Tighten Laws on Sexual Assault, Following Sweden
Norway's parliament increases proposed legislation on rape in initial vote
Get ready for stricter regulations, Norway! In a groundbreaking move, the Norwegian parliament has taken the first step towards defining non-consensual sex as rape. The overwhelming majority vote held in Oslo on Friday, marks the beginning of a new law based on the principle "unequivocal 'Yes' means 'Yes'." A second parliamentary vote is still needed for the law to come into effect.
Much like the neighboring Sweden, Norway's revised criminal code is poised to treat sex without explicit consent, not just through violence, threats, or the exploitation of a vulnerable person, but also in the absence of verbal consent or clear gestures, as a criminal offense.
If passed, sex without clear consent will carry a sentence of up to six years in prison. Countries like Denmark, Greece, and Spain have already enacted laws based on the "unequivocal 'Yes' means 'Yes'" principle.
The Norwegian Minister of Justice, Astri Aas-Hansen, earlier this year, presented the criminal law reform, asserting that there are many scenarios of sexual assault that don't necessarily involve violence or threats. A victim, for instance, might be incapacitated due to substance abuse or paralyzed with fear, rendering them unable to resist.
Sweden, a beacon of inspiration for Norway's proposed legislation, has already implemented similar measures in its sexual assault laws[1][3][4]. The "unequivocal 'Yes' means 'Yes'" principle, or affirmative consent, is a legal standard that insists on the presence of consent for any sexual activity, shifting the focus from the absence of resistance to the presence of affirmative consent.
Although other regions have yet to adopt this principle, the concept of affirmative consent is garnering momentum worldwide. It's evident in global discussions surrounding online sexual expression and the Istanbul Convention, which underlines the importance of consent in the definition of rape[5].
The Norwegian parliament's decision to tighten laws on sexual assault, following Sweden, aligns with the proposed policy-and-legislation in the realm of politics. This new policy, based on the "unequivocal 'Yes' means 'Yes'" principle, is poised to be a part of the general news, not only in Norway but also in the crime-and-justice sector, as it aims to treat sex without explicit consent as a criminal offense, carrying punishments up to six years in prison.
