1y ago

Netherlands: 'Historic victory' as law amended to recognize that sex without consent is rape

www.amnesty.org Netherlands: 'Historic victory' as law amended to recognize that sex without consent is rape

Responding to the news that the Netherlands’ House of Representatives has voted to amend the Sexual Offences Act by introducing a consent-based definition of rape, Dagmar Oudshoorn, Director of Amnesty International Netherlands, said: “By amending our outdated law and recognizing that sex without co...

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www.amnesty.org /en/latest/news/2023/07/netherlands-historic-victory-as-law-amended-to-recognize-that-sex-without-consent-is-rape/

201 22

8 comments

We have had such a law since 2019.
By the way, webcams are prohibited in our country. Article 302 - "Creation of places of debauchery". I am waiting for the Netherlands to approve a similar law.

Hopefully that is just the layperson description and the law itself goes into more detail what it considers consent?

While I wholeheartedly agree with this change, I do however worry about people abusing these new laws. With the fake accusations that are already being thrown around quite regularly (that's what the media makes me believe at least), I wonder how much those kinds of fake accusations will increase now that it's gonna be practically verbal proof only.
Just to be safe, I'll be signing a legal contract with any significant other just so they can't stab me in the back 10 years from now.
- This bill removes the requirement that rape must involve physical force, threat or coercion. It also makes the Netherlands the seventeenth country out of 31 European states analysed by Amnesty International to recognize that sex without consent is rape.” 
  It works in 16 other countries, so I don't think it's going to be a problem now.
- If you think fake accusations are more of a problem than actual sexual assault going unpunished, you need to change the media you follow.
  I would say if you have consent (either explicitly verbally or through enthusiastic body language), you're good. If you have any doubts, because she might be too drunk or whatever reason, don't go through with it.
  I would even say that a signed contract could be void. Consent can always be withdrawn at any point. She could enthusiastically consent and sign a document, you get going, and then something happens that turns her off completely. She tells you to stop. Can you continue without it being rape just because you have a signed consent document?

8 comments