1/. HOW TO CHANGE THE WORLD:
A STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE
In 2020, Denmark changed its laws to recognise the simple fact that sex without consent is rape
This didn't happen by chance
It resulted from years of campaigning & advocacy by survivor groups & campaigners.
#LetsTalkAboutYes
2/. Shockingly, in 2020 only 7 out of 31 countries in Europe had laws that recognised sex without consent is rape
That figure has almost doubled to 13...but there is still along way to go
But back to the lessons from Denmark, & their successful campaign for a consent-based law
3/. Working with survivors groups, research was done to identify key barriers to justice for rape survivors
Why were so many rapes committed?
Why were so few rapes reported?
Why did so few reports of rape lead to prosecution?
Why did so few prosecutions lead to convictions?
4/. The research was done in tandem with political advocacy & campaigning, all survivor-led
Women who'd been raped were telling their stories, appealing directly to the govt so that other women will not have to experience the same trauma they went through
5/. “Change the law. Set us free”
A bombshell report exposed Denmark’s rape culture & endemic impunity for rapists
At the launch, rape survivors & activists took the stage in front of an audience of 200 journalists, politicians, judges & police officials
6/. On the day of the launch, Denmark’s Justice Minister announced the govt will back a new consent-based rape law & this was PM confirmed by the PM
This was a huge victory, but changing
flawed laws is only the first step
Cultural change would be needed
7/. On 17/12/20, Denmark finally passed a new law introducing a consent-based legal definition of rape
It moved away from the idea where there had to be coercion & violence for rape to be considered as rape
It is rape if one does not agree to it
Got it? amnesty.org/en/latest/news…
8/. “Drunk isn’t consent
Silence isn’t consent”
We grow up downstream from culture
Since culture is downstream from law, the first task is to change the law
The next task is to change our culture: to challenge dangerous stereotypes, prejudices & myths
“Don't use my underwear to justify rape!”
In 2020, a Peruvian threw out a rape case due to the fact the woman had been wearing red lace underwear
Cultures of victim blaming & impunity exist around the world, from playgrounds to locker rooms, police stations to witness stands.
10/. “Change isn’t just possible. It’s inevitable”
Denmark doesn’t stand alone
Greece, Sweden, Ireland & Slovenia have also adopted consent-based definitions of rape
The Netherlands, Switzerland & Spain are all amending their laws
But the road is long
amnesty.org/en/latest/news…
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