COPENHAGEN – Denmark on Thursday tightened its rape laws by criminalizing sex without explicit consent.
The new law passed by parliament broadened the circumstances that rape could constitute – under the old law, prosecutors had to prove that the rapist had used force or assaulted someone who was unable to resist.
“Now it will 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 resulted in a 75% increase in rape convictions.
According to figures from the ministry, approximately 11,400 women are raped or attempted to rape in Denmark every year.
Amnesty International said Denmark has become the 12th country in Europe to recognize consensual sex as rape.
“This is a great day for women in Denmark as it throws outdated and dangerous rape laws into the trash can of history and helps end the widespread stigma and endemic impunity for this crime,” said Anna Blus, the women’s rights researcher of the campaign group.
The law will enter into force on January 1.