The World Briefly
April 18, 2023Yes and No
Spain
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Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez apologized this week to sexual assault victims for a legal loophole in landmark legislation that aimed to combat sexual violence – but has also allowed some convicted offenders to be released early and others to receive a reduced sentence, Agence France-Presse reported.
Since it took effect in October, the law, dubbed “Only yes means yes,” reformed the criminal code in a bid to define all non-consensual sex as rape.
But it also inadvertently resulted in the early release of at least 104 offenders. Another 978 received reduced sentences, according to government data.
The lesser charge of sexual abuse was dismissed under the revised law and all offenses were changed to sexual assault, which now carries more severe penalties.
But the legislation also lowered both the minimum and maximum sentences for specific sexual crimes, resulting in numerous applications for sentence revisions.
In Spain, sentences can be modified retroactively if a change in the penal code benefits the convicted.
The issue provoked outrage in Spain, with Sanchez saying that his left-wing government is planning to reform the law to close the loophole.
The apology comes as Spain plans to hold regional and municipal elections in May and parliamentary polls at the end of the year.
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