OSLO, June 6 (Reuters) - Norway strengthened its rape laws on Friday by criminalising sex without explicit consent, joining a growing list of countries to widen the definition of sexual attacks. Up to now, prosecutors have had to show that an attacker used violence or threatening behaviour, or had sexual intercourse with someone who was unable to resist, to secure a conviction for rape.
Under the new law passed by parliament, anyone who has sex with someone who has not consented to it by word or deed could be convicted of rape, even without violence. Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Iceland have all introduced consent-based rape laws in recent years. Sweden changed the legal definition of rape in 2018 to sex without consent - a change that officials said resulted in a 75% rise in rape convictions. Denmark followed in 2020 by passing a law that widened the circumstances that could constitute rape.
The issue with this is that consent can be withdrawn at any point. You don’t just agree to have sex and you’re good for the night. Consent is a constant thing.
Yeah what if the person starts some freakiness you didn’t consent to?
Of course, you are 100% correct, but there isn’t even a way to prove initial consent. There is also no way to prove that you have shared what you are and are not OK with. There’s nothing of any sort that I can see.
I can totally see the value in that, but I also worry it might result in a “blank cheque” situation where rape allegations are dismissed because one party consented on an app and the other took that as free rein to do whatever.
But you’re right. The other side is potentially protecting people from false allegations.