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A law on sexual consent which considers as rape any sexual act without explicit agreement, even in the absence of threat or violence, comes into force this Sunday at Sweden after the unrest that the #MeToo campaign has generated in the country.
The text provides that a person is guilty of rape if she performs a sexual act with another person who did not participate "freely"
. the sexual act was accompanied by violence or was threatened.
"There is absolutely no obligation to say yes formally, to support a button on a request or something like that." Simply participating physically is already a sign of consent "reminds the local agency TT Anna Hannell, a judge who was involved in the drafting of the law
The courts will ensure that "consent is expressed in words, gestures or otherwise", elements on which the judges will have to decide
The law, adopted in late May through a social democratic majority and ecologist, is much criticized by the Bar Association and the Council of Laws, which Errogan on its implementation. [19659008] Photo: AFP
For this instance, the new law will impose an arbitrary assessment by the court on the existence or otherwise of a consent.
The government considers rather that it sends a clear message. He also decided Sunday to grant 120 million crowns (11.5 million euros, $ 13.3 million) to the fight against sexual harassment and violence.
#MeToo has made clear There is still much to be done to fight sexual harassment and violence at work and in the rest of society, said Joint Minister Lena Hallengren in a statement
Change behaviors
The legislator's goal is to change behavior in a country where equality between men and women is considered one of the most successful in the world
"The legislation is Normative, it sends a signal.The courage to speak with young people about what is consent, "says public radio SR Emil Gustavsson, from the organization" Men for the Fatherland. "
The campaign #MeToo to denounce the sexual assault generated by a succession of charges against the Hollywood magnate Harvey Weinstein shocked all layers of the Swedish society.
"# MeToo changes behaviors and people understand how widespread sexual violence is," says Ida Östensson, who founded the Make Equal Foundation, which has been campaigning for this new law since 2013.
According to her , mentalities have changed but it is necessary "to finally have legislation that protects the physical and sexual integrity".
In autumn in Sweden, more than 10,000 women from all walks of life spoke out to fight harassment. 19659021] Photo: AFP
