European parliament urges EU to draw up standardised consent-based definition of rape
The European Parliament has called on the EU to adopt a standardized, consent-based definition of rape, emphasizing that lack of resistance or prior relationships should not imply consent. The move aims to harmonize laws across member states, as eight countries still require proof of force or violence for rape convictions. Legislators urged the European Commission to propose legislation, despite past resistance from some governments. The push follows high-profile cases like that of Gisèle Pelicot, which highlighted gaps in current legal frameworks.
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A common definition would force all members to align with international standards, said an MEP. Photograph: Jean-Christophe Verhaegen/AFP/Getty ImagesView image in fullscreenA common definition would force all members to align with international standards, said an MEP. Photograph: Jean-Christophe Verhaegen/AFP/Getty ImagesEuropean UnionEuropean parliament urges EU to draw up standardised consent-based definition of rapeEight EU members continue to include force or violence in their definitions in national criminal codesAshifa Kassam European community affairs correspondentTue 28 Apr 2026 14.55 EDTLast modified on Tue 28 Apr 2026 14.57 EDTSharePrefer the Guardian on GoogleThe European parliament has called on the EU to draw up a standardised consent-based definition of rape, in what…
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