Reform backfires
Spain releases a number of rapists due to loopholes in the law
A law against sexual violence is currently causing chaos in Spain. Because of a gap in the text, numerous convicted rapists are currently being released.
Published: 2 minutes ago
A loophole in the law frees dozens of rapists.
The Spanish government has announced the revision of a landmark law against sexual violence after numerous convicted perpetrators received reduced sentences because of a loophole in the law. In the next few days, a “meticulous text” will be presented that will offer “a solution to these unwanted effects,” said Minister of Education Pilar Alegría in Madrid.
The minister, who is also party spokeswoman for the ruling Socialists, called it the “logically best way” to revise the law to “increase the penalties for sex offenders.”
Since the “Only Yes Means Yes” law came into force in October, some 20 sex offenders have reportedly been released and about 300 others had their sentences reduced.
Hundreds of requests for parole
The aim of the sexual criminal law reform was actually to define any non-consensual sexual intercourse as rape. The focus should be shifted away from the question of the victim’s possible resistance and towards free and clearly expressed consent.
However, the law reduces the minimum and maximum sentences for some sex offenses, prompting hundreds of requests for a reduction in sentences. In Spain, penalties are changed retrospectively when a legal reform benefits the convict. (zis/AFP)