Swiss Parliament Rejects Law to Protect Rape Victims

Senate votes against making failure to assist rape victims punishable, sparking debate about sexual violence legislation.

Key Takeaways

Swiss Senate rejected a law to make failure to assist rape victims punishable
The Senate rejected the initiative by 30 votes to 13
Currently, failing to help someone in danger of death is punishable, but not in rape cases

By The Numbers

30-13

Senate vote ratio against the initiative

They Said

"It would be difficult to define the constituent elements of the offence, asking what constituted a 'serious' attack on physical or sexual integrity"
— Beat Rieder, Centre Party

"We were turning a blind eye to the rise in gender-based violence and masculinist rhetoric"
— Mathilde Crevoisier Crelier, Social Democratic Party

Swiss Senate Blocks Rape Victim Protection Law

Current Legal Framework

Parliamentary Debate and Opposition

Social and Political Implications

Public Response and Future Outlook

Sources & References

Failure to help rape victims remains unpunishable in Switzerland

SWI swissinfo.ch

Key Takeaways

Swiss Senate rejected a law to make failure to assist rape victims punishable
The Senate rejected the initiative by 30 votes to 13
Currently, failing to help someone in danger of death is punishable, but not in rape cases

By The Numbers

30-13

Senate vote ratio against the initiative

They Said

"It would be difficult to define the constituent elements of the offence, asking what constituted a 'serious' attack on physical or sexual integrity"
— Beat Rieder, Centre Party

"We were turning a blind eye to the rise in gender-based violence and masculinist rhetoric"
— Mathilde Crevoisier Crelier, Social Democratic Party

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