Reacting to the vote in the European Parliament on a report calling once again for an EU-wide consent-based definition of rape, Dinushika Dissanayake Amnesty International’s Deputy Regional Director for Europe said: “Amnesty International welcomes today’s report from the European Parliament which makes another unequivocal call for an EU-wide consent-based definition of rape. “At a time when the headlines are filled with stories of online rape-academies and organized child sex rings, and where survivors such as Gisèle Pelicot go to great lengths to tell their stories to raise awareness of abuse, this call should echo loudly in the minds of EU decision-makers. ‘Rape culture’, which is underpinned and perpetuated by harmful myths and gender stereotypes, attempts to normalize and even justify sexual violence in our societies. Dinushika Dissanayake, Deputy Regional Director for Europe “One in six women in the EU experience sexual violence in adulthood, and one in 10 will be raped in their lifetime. “On top of a consent-based definition of rape, promoting a culture of consent across the EU will depend on an intersectional and survivor-centred approach, comprehensive sexuality education, and public awareness-raising campaigns and prevention programmes. “The European Commission must now propose legislation to establish an EU-wide consent-based definition of rape. EU member states that haven’t already done so, should also swiftly align their definition of rape with that of the Istanbul Convention.” Background For years Amnesty International has campaigned for national legislation and policy to adopt a consent-based definition of rape. Victories were recorded in many countries…
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