Spain passes ‘only yes means yes’ sexual consent law

Article here. Excerpt:

'Spain’s congress has passed legislation referred to as the “only yes means yes law”, drawn up in the wake of the “wolf pack” gang rape in 2016.

The legislation passed with 205 votes in favour, 141 against and 3 abstentions. MPs from the conservative People’s party and the far-right Vox voted against it.

“It’s a victorious day after many years of struggle,” said Irene Montero, the equality minister. “From now on no woman will have to prove that violence or intimidation was used for it to be recognised for what it is.”

Under the new law consent must be affirmative and cannot be assumed to have been given by default or silence.

It was drawn up after five men raped an 18-year-old woman during the 2016 bull-running festival in Pamplona. In court it was argued that video footage from the men’s phones – showing the woman immobile and with her eyes shut during the attack – was proof of consent.

One judge claimed the men should only be charged with stealing the victim’s mobile phone.

They were sentenced to nine years in prison for the lesser charge of sexual abuse but after a public outcry the charge was changed to rape and the sentence increased to 15 years.'