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“By amending our outdated law and recognizing that sex without consent is rape, the Netherlands has taken an important step towards combatting widespread sexual violence and improving access to justice for survivors.
 
“The passing of this bill is a historic victory for survivors of sexual assault and a testament to years of tireless campaigning by hundreds of activists and survivor groups.

“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.” 

Following the passing of the amendment today by the House of Representatives, it is expected to be voted into law by the Senate within the next nine months.