Strasbourg – The rape scandal surrounding Frenchman Dominique Pelicots‘ exploitation of his wife may contribute to the EU adopting a consent law.
Attempts to introduce a law according to the Swedish model were halted last year after opposition from, among others, France, Germany, and Hungary.
But now the European Parliament hopes for a change, not least due to the outrage over how Pelicot drugged his wife and allowed her to be raped by many other men.
“Now we are making a strong effort for a fresh start,” says Swedish member Evin Incir (Social Democrats), who has been tasked with leading an initiative from the parliament to get the EU Commission to present a new proposal.
Incir also hopes for support from a recent ruling by the European Court of Human Rights.
“It clearly states that sexual relations without consent are rape – including in marriage,” says Incir.
The idea is to forward the issue to the EU Commission in the summer or early autumn.
(February 12)