Norway has criminalized having sex without the explicit consent of their partners, joining a growing list of countries that are expanding the definition of sexual assault, Reuters reported, quoted by BTA.
Until now, rape convictions required proving that the attacker used violence or threatening behavior, or had sexual contact with a person who was unable to resist.
Under the new law passed by parliament, anyone who has had intimate contact with a person who has not given their consent to it through words or actions can be convicted of rape, even if there was no violence.
In recent years, Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Iceland have introduced laws to rape based on lack of consent. In 2018, Sweden changed the legal definition of rape to intercourse without consent, a change that officials say has led to a 75% increase in rape convictions. Denmark followed suit in 2020, passing a law expanding the circumstances that can be considered rape.
/НВ/
Source: www.bta.bg