Switzerland: 'History victory' as law amended to recognise that sex without consent is rape

Amendment will be formally voted in Parliament on 16 June

‘Today’s vote is an important step to combatting widespread sexual violence in Switzerland’ - Cyrielle Huguenot

In response to Switzerland's National Council decision today to amend current legislation and recognise in law that ‘sex against the will of another person’ is rape, Cyrielle Huguenot, Amnesty International’s Head of Women's Rights in Switzerland, said:

“Today’s vote is an historic victory not just for those campaigners who have worked tirelessly to see this day, but for all survivors of sexual violence in Switzerland.

“The amendment marks the end to the outdated definition of rape that required the use of physical force, threat or coercion, and considered only women as victims. The law now recognises that all sex without consent is rape.

“While there is still a great distance to travel, today’s vote is an important step to combatting widespread sexual violence in Switzerland and improving access to justice for survivors.

“However, more is needed for institutional and social change. Parliament must now act to ensure that training and awareness-raising for police and prosecution authorities and assistance to survivors are strengthened. Consent must also be placed at the centre of sex education, detailed public statistics on sexual violence must be made available, and effective information and prevention campaigns must be launched.”