Sweden rules that all sex without consent is rape

A new law that recognises sex without explicit consent as rape came into effect in Sweden yesterday, after the country was rocked by the #Metoo movement.

The law stipulates that a person has committed rape if they take part in a sexual act in which the other person has not participated “freely”. Rape had previously been defined as a sexual act carried out with violence or threat.

For someone to face rape charges, “it is no longer necessary that violence or threats were applied, or that the aggressor took advantage of the victim’s … vulnerable situation,” according to the government.

Judges will rule on whether consent was expressed with words, gestures or in another manner.