{"id":17702,"date":"2023-04-20T12:08:19","date_gmt":"2023-04-20T12:08:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/lynettelockhart.com\/client\/spanish-lawmakers-amend-sexual\/"},"modified":"2023-04-20T12:10:07","modified_gmt":"2023-04-20T12:10:07","slug":"spanish-lawmakers-amend-sexual","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/lynettelockhart.com\/client\/spanish-lawmakers-amend-sexual\/","title":{"rendered":"Spanish lawmakers amend sexual consent law, straining ruling coalition"},"content":{"rendered":"

By David Latona<\/p>\n

MADRID (Reuters) – Spain’s lower house on Thursday passed changes to a contentious sexual violence law, widening a rift within the ruling coalition as the Socialists and their hard-left partner Unidas Podemos (UP) split into opposite camps during the vote.<\/p>\n

The law, known as “Only Yes is Yes” and the flagship policy of the UP-led equality ministry, was approved in August and touted as a milestone for women’s’ rights as it focused on the concept of consent.<\/p>\n

But while it was meant to requalify sexual abuse cases where victims did not resist out of fear into a more serious crime, a loophole in the law’s sentencing guidelines has been used by hundreds of convicted rapists to reduce their prison terms or win early release, provoking a public outcry. <\/p>\n

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has apologised to victims of sexual abuse over the law’s “undesired effects” and vowed to fix it. <\/p>\n

Sex crimes now carry a lower minimum sentence as a result of merging the formerly distinct felonies of sexual abuse and aggression, but the approved changes reintroduce the distinction – depending on whether there is evidence of physical violence – when it comes to setting minimum jail terms.<\/p>\n

The Socialists had agreed on the amendments with the main opposition People’s Party, angering left-wing parties that usually vote in line with the government.<\/p>\n

Socialist deputy Andrea Fernandez acknowledged the deal with the PP left a “bittersweet sensation” but defended the need for the “technical reform” that was passed by 233-59 votes, with four abstentions, and is now headed to the upper house for ratification.<\/p>\n

UP argues the changes put the onus back on victims, who have to prove they suffered vaginal injuries, instead of focusing solely on their consent. <\/p>\n

Equality Minister Irene Montero said they represented a “severe setback to women’s rights”, adding it was “a sad day, the toughest day I’ve lived through as minister”. <\/p>\n

\n

(Reporting by David Latona; Editing by Andrei Khalip and Nick Macfie)<\/p>\n

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