Denmark recognizes that sex without consent is rape

Danish parliament passed a law recognizing that sex without consent is rape. 

Until now, the circumstances that constituted rape had to show that the rapist used violence or attacked a person that was unable to resist.

"This is a great day for the women of Denmark.  An outdated and dangerous rape law is thrown into the dustbin of history.  The new law will help end the widespread stigma and impunity for this crime," said Anna Błuś, Amnesty International's researcher on women's rights.

"Because culture descends from law, today's is an important first step toward change.  The next will be to start building a culture in which everyone accepts that gender is based on consent and in which those working in the legal sector have a high awareness of how harmful gender stereotypes and myths are," Błuś added.

"Although the law is not perfect in explaining that reaction passivity cannot be interpreted as consent, we are still facing a profound step forward for Denmark," Błuś stressed.

"This historic day was not arrived at by chance, but thanks to years of campaigning by rape survivors who, by telling their painful stories, helped ensure that other women did not have to live through their same nightmare," Błuś continued.

"It is incredible that Denmark is only the 12th state in Europe to recognize that sex without consent is rape.  But the prospects for change are real in other states," Błuś concluded.

According to data from the Ministry of Justice, 11,400 women are subjected to rape or attempted rape each year in Denmark.  Research by the University of Southern Denmark estimates that the number may be more than double that.  Nevertheless, in 2019 there were only 1,017 reports of rape, resulting in less than 80 convictions.