Rape: ”No means No” law passed

Germany’s parliament has passed a new law defining rape, clarifying that “No means No”, even if a victim did not fight back. Critics believe Germany has long lagged behind other developed nations when it comes to its rape laws. The issue was again brought to the fore after a number of sex attacks on women […]

Germany’s parliament has passed a new law defining rape, clarifying that “No means No”, even if a victim did not fight back.
Critics believe Germany has long lagged behind other developed nations when it comes to its rape laws.
The issue was again brought to the fore after a number of sex attacks on women in Cologne on New Year’s Eve. The vote was passed by an overwhelming majority on Thursday in the Bundestag in the capital, Berlin.
The new law classifies groping as a sex crime and makes it easier to prosecute assaults committed by large group. It also makes it easier to deport migrants who commit sex offences.
MPs stood and cheered when the law was passed.
“The change in the law will help increase the number of victims who choose to press charges, lower the number of criminal prosecutions that are shelved and ensure sexual assaults are properly punished,” Minister for Women Manuela Schwesig said.