From Coercion to Consent: Rape Law Reform in Switzerland
Due to the reconceptualization of rape and other sexual offenses as violations of the victim’s sexual autonomy and in view of the obligations arising from international and regional human rights law, more and more European legal systems are revising their understanding of sexual offenses to reflect the victim’s consent. The wind of change has reached Switzerland, too.
The introduction of a consent-based definition of rape is currently a subject of discussion in Switzerland. Like the criminal laws of many other countries, the Swiss Criminal Code still defines rape as “coerced sexual intercourse” involving either violence, threats, or psychological pressure. Until today, the ignoring of the victim’s explicit “no,” without more, is not sufficient to establish the definitional elements of the sexual offense of rape.
The aim of the project is to monitor closely the progress of the reform process and to examine and discuss the reform proposals in Switzerland. Furthermore, a response to the consultation process (a key element of Switzerland's legislative system) will be developed and submitted to the Swiss Federal Department of Justice and Police.
The introduction of a consent-based definition of rape is currently a subject of discussion in Switzerland. Like the criminal laws of many other countries, the Swiss Criminal Code still defines rape as “coerced sexual intercourse” involving either violence, threats, or psychological pressure. Until today, the ignoring of the victim’s explicit “no,” without more, is not sufficient to establish the definitional elements of the sexual offense of rape.
The aim of the project is to monitor closely the progress of the reform process and to examine and discuss the reform proposals in Switzerland. Furthermore, a response to the consultation process (a key element of Switzerland's legislative system) will be developed and submitted to the Swiss Federal Department of Justice and Police.
| Expected outcome: | scientific articles; participation in the consultation process |
|---|---|
| Research focus: | II. Regulating Intimate Relations |
| Project languages: | German, English |
| Photo: | © Melodie Descoubes/Unsplash |
Publications (selection)
(2022). Of nagging and guilt-tipping. Lack of consent in one’s own activities? In & (Eds.), Consent and sexual offenses (pp. 83–94). Baden-Baden: Nomos. doi:10.5771/9783748930242-83
, & (2022). Gewaltpornografie und moderne Sexualmoral. Zeitschrift des Bernischen Juristenvereins, 158(7-8), 339–359.
(2021). Balancing Sexual Autonomy, Responsibility, and the Right to Privacy: Principles for Criminalizing Sex by Deception. German Law Journal, 22(5), 769–783. doi:10.1017/glj.2021.41
(2021). Revision des Sexualstrafrechts: die Verankerung des Konsensprinzips im StGB. In (Ed.), Recht und Geschlecht: Herausforderungen der Gleichstellung. Quelques réflexions 50 ans après le suffrage des femmes (pp. 193–211). Zürich: Dike.
(2020). Kommentierung der Art. 187-200 StGB. In (Ed.), StGB: annotierter Kommentar (pp. 1146–1206). Bern: Stämpfli.
, , & (2020). Reformbedarf im schweizerischen Sexualstrafrecht: «Egoistisch, rücksichtslos, kaltherzig» – aber strafrechtlich nicht relevant? Sui generis, 57–75. doi:10.21257/sg.122
(2020). Kommentierung der Art. 372-380a StGB. In (Ed.), StGB: annotierter Kommentar (pp. 1824–1837). Bern: Stämpfli.
(2019). Strafrechtliches Neuland: Stealthing. Gender Law Newsletter, 2019(3).
(2018). Das Sexualstrafrecht der Schweiz: Grundlagen und Reformbedarf. Stämpfli: Bern.
Talks, Webinar
- Talk: Ausgleich von Leid durch Geld? Gedanken zur Höhe der Genugtuung bei Sexualdelikten. Presented at Conference Das Sexualstrafrecht im Wandel, University of St. Gallen, 05/16/2023.
- Talk: Principles for Criminalizing Sex by Deception. Presented at German Law Journal Symposium, Washington & Lee University, Lexington, 10/06/2023.
- Webinar: Das neue Sexualstrafrecht: Meilenstein oder typisch schweizerischer Kompromiss? F.Ius University of Zurich, 04/17/2024.
