Campaigners warn Italy’s gutted rape bill could help assailants
Italy's attempt to implement a consent-based rape law is facing significant challenges, with experts warning that the proposed changes could inadvertently benefit assailants. The bill, which initially received bipartisan support, has stalled in the Senate due to opposition from far-right lawmakers. Campaigners argue that any law not centered on consent risks perpetuating a culture of victim-blaming and undermining progress in addressing sexual violence.
- ▪The proposed consent-based rape law in Italy has been stalled in the Senate after initial bipartisan support.
- ▪Experts warn that the current proposals could facilitate rape and re-victimize survivors.
- ▪Campaigners emphasize the need for a law that centers on consent to combat cultural attitudes that legitimize violence against women.
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Campaigners warn Italy’s gutted rape bill could help assailantsSign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inboxAn attempt to implement consent-based rape laws in Italy risks backfiring with a proposed Bill being stuck in the Senate.PHOTO: AFPPublished May 19, 2026, 10:01 AMUpdated May 19, 2026, 10:01 AMROME – An attempt in Italy to introduce a consent-based rape law is floundering and experts warn rapists could stand to gain after the far right torpedoed an “only yes means yes” definition.Lawmaker Laura Boldrini told AFP she had proposed a bill to end what she called “monster rulings” where judges deemed the woman’s consent implicit “because she had accepted a lift home, or not locked a bathroom door”.The Bill had an auspicious start.In a rare cross-party collaboration between…
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