COPENHAGEN – Denmark tightened rape laws Thursday criminalizing sex without explicit consent.
The new law passed by parliament expanded the circumstances that could constitute a violation: under old law, prosecutors had to prove that the rapist had used violence or had attacked someone who was unable to resist.
“It will now be clear that if both parties do not consent to sex, it is rape,” Justice Minister Nick Haekkerup said in a statement.
A similar law introduced in neighboring Sweden in 2018 led to a 75% increase in rape convictions.
According to ministry data, around 11,400 women a year are raped or subjected to attempted rape in Denmark.
Amnesty International said Denmark had become the 12th country in Europe to recognize non-consensual sex as rape.
“This is a great day for women in Denmark, as it entrusts obsolete and dangerous rape laws to the rubbish bin of history and helps end widespread stigma and endemic impunity for this crime,” Anna said Blus, a women’s rights researcher in the campaign group.
The law will take effect on January 1.