EU Consent-Based Rape Legislation Report

by name voted on 28.04.2026

Summary

The report calls for an EU-wide definition of rape based on the absence of consent, rather than physical force.

10 28.04.2026

Report

woman

civil law

criminal law

human rights

social policy

european union

administrative law

public administration

Key points

The report calls for a unified EU-wide definition of rape centered on the requirement of freely given and informed consent.
The proposed definition should align with international standards established in the Istanbul Convention.
The legal basis for this proposal is identified as the EU's competence to combat particularly serious crimes with a cross-border dimension.
Legislation must recognize trauma responses, such as the inability to resist due to fear, as valid reasons why consent was not present.

Vote

PPE

S&D

PfE

ECR

Renew

Verts/ALE

The Left

NI

ESN

Total

Speeches

79 Speeches in total

Pro

Contra

Lina GÁLVEZ

S&D

1:29 min

16. Importance of consent-based rape legislation in the EU (debate)

Irene MONTERO

The Left

1:37 min

16. Importance of consent-based rape legislation in the EU (debate)

Documents (PDFs)

DRAFT REPORT on the importance of consent-based rape legislation in the EU REPORT on the importance of consent-based rape legislation in the EU Importance of consent-based rape legislation in the EU

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