Europe Magazine:
More and more European countries are adopting the „only yes means yes“ model — a legal shift that puts affirmative consent at the center of sexual offence laws.
The idea is simple, yet powerful: Sex without clear, voluntary consent is no longer just morally wrong — it’s criminal. That means a sexual act is considered a criminal offence if the person did not affirm consent, either through words or unequivocal behavior. The focus shifts to whether a clear „yes“ was present, rather than whether resistance was shown. It’s not about reversing the presumption of innocence, but about redefining the legal threshold for sexual autonomy.
This map shows which European countries have adopted legal definitions of sexual consent based on the „yes means yes“ principle. France is also progressing toward the adoption of similar legislation. The case of Gisèle Pelicot sparked nationwide attention and added momentum to the reform, which now awaits final approval after minor amendments.
But this transformation is far from complete. Several EU countries still rely on antiquated definitions that require victims to prove violence or coercion. The question is: Will the rest of Europe follow suit?
https://www.instagram.com/p/DLUfiUvMhu_/Why is nobody stopping this nonsense from happening in Europe?
