Latest items for LRW-LAW-1
April 1, 2026, 7:28 p.m.
Countries: Sudan
Variables: LRW-LAW-1
“‘Millions of children in Sudan are at risk of rape and other forms of sexual violence, which is being used as a tactic of war. This is an abhorrent violation of international law and could constitute a war crime. It must stop,’ [UNICEF Executive Director Catherine] Russell said" (para 5). "UNICEF called on the government of Sudan and ‘all parties’ to respect their obligations under human rights law and stop using sexual violence as a ‘tactic of war,’ which would imply that both sides to the brutal Sudanese civil war are guilty of offenses. Another UNICEF press release denounced sexual violence in Sudan as a ‘war crime’” (para 7-8).more
Variables: LRW-LAW-1
“‘Millions of children in Sudan are at risk of rape and other forms of sexual violence, which is being used as a tactic of war. This is an abhorrent violation of international law and could constitute a war crime. It must stop,’ [UNICEF Executive Director Catherine] Russell said" (para 5). "UNICEF called on the government of Sudan and ‘all parties’ to respect their obligations under human rights law and stop using sexual violence as a ‘tactic of war,’ which would imply that both sides to the brutal Sudanese civil war are guilty of offenses. Another UNICEF press release denounced sexual violence in Sudan as a ‘war crime’” (para 7-8).more
March 23, 2026, 4:42 p.m.
Countries: Germany, Spain, Sweden
Variables: LRW-LAW-1
“Sweden, Germany and Spain are among the European countries that already have consent-based rape laws” (para 16).
Variables: LRW-LAW-1
“Sweden, Germany and Spain are among the European countries that already have consent-based rape laws” (para 16).
March 23, 2026, 4:29 p.m.
Countries: France
Variables: LRW-LAW-1
“The French parliament has ratified an amendment to add consent to the legal definition of sexual assault and rape. Previously, rape or sexual abuse in France had been defined as ‘any form of sexual penetration committed with the use of violence, coercion, threat or surprise’. Now, the law will say that all sexual acts done to another without consent constitute rape… [I]t says that consent must be ‘free and informed, specific, prior and revocable’. Consent will have to be evaluated according to the circumstances, the new law says, noting that it cannot be inferred from ‘silence or lack of reaction’... France's highest administrative court, the Council of State (Conseil d'État)...more
Variables: LRW-LAW-1
“The French parliament has ratified an amendment to add consent to the legal definition of sexual assault and rape. Previously, rape or sexual abuse in France had been defined as ‘any form of sexual penetration committed with the use of violence, coercion, threat or surprise’. Now, the law will say that all sexual acts done to another without consent constitute rape… [I]t says that consent must be ‘free and informed, specific, prior and revocable’. Consent will have to be evaluated according to the circumstances, the new law says, noting that it cannot be inferred from ‘silence or lack of reaction’... France's highest administrative court, the Council of State (Conseil d'État)...more
March 18, 2026, 8:33 p.m.
Countries: Spain
Variables: LRW-LAW-1
"The age of consent in Spain is 16, meaning anyone younger cannot consent to sex" (para 19).
Variables: LRW-LAW-1
"The age of consent in Spain is 16, meaning anyone younger cannot consent to sex" (para 19).
March 13, 2026, 1:28 p.m.
Countries: Poland
Variables: LRW-LAW-1
"But to meet this legal threshold it requires the victim to express opposition to the unwanted sexual behaviour. This fact sparked new discussions around changing the definition of rape and its punishment under Poland’s criminal code. Currently, rape is legally defined as forced sexual intercourse using threats, force or deceit. But to meet this legal threshold it requires the victim to express opposition to the unwanted sexual behaviour. “If the raped Liza had survived, the perpetrator would probably have escaped punishment for rape because she didn’t scream – that’s why we want to change the definition [of rape],” says lawyer Danuta Wawrowska, the author of a draft bill, sponsored by...more
Variables: LRW-LAW-1
"But to meet this legal threshold it requires the victim to express opposition to the unwanted sexual behaviour. This fact sparked new discussions around changing the definition of rape and its punishment under Poland’s criminal code. Currently, rape is legally defined as forced sexual intercourse using threats, force or deceit. But to meet this legal threshold it requires the victim to express opposition to the unwanted sexual behaviour. “If the raped Liza had survived, the perpetrator would probably have escaped punishment for rape because she didn’t scream – that’s why we want to change the definition [of rape],” says lawyer Danuta Wawrowska, the author of a draft bill, sponsored by...more
Feb. 22, 2026, 1:37 p.m.
Countries: Algeria
Variables: LRW-LAW-1
"In Algeria, rape is not clearly defined. It is limited to a man having sexual relations with a woman against her will. It is only severely punished when it involves ‘penetration of the vagina by a male genital organ’ but does not cover the use of an object or the penetration of other orifices, nor the rape of small boys, for which the term 'indecent assault' is used. Article 336 of the Criminal Code provides for a sentence of 5 to 10 years in prison in case of rape but when the victim is a minor – less than 18 years old, the sentence is doubled: 10 to 20 years...more
Variables: LRW-LAW-1
"In Algeria, rape is not clearly defined. It is limited to a man having sexual relations with a woman against her will. It is only severely punished when it involves ‘penetration of the vagina by a male genital organ’ but does not cover the use of an object or the penetration of other orifices, nor the rape of small boys, for which the term 'indecent assault' is used. Article 336 of the Criminal Code provides for a sentence of 5 to 10 years in prison in case of rape but when the victim is a minor – less than 18 years old, the sentence is doubled: 10 to 20 years...more
Feb. 22, 2026, 1:26 p.m.
Countries: Algeria
Variables: LRW-LAW-1
"Article 336 of the Penal Code No. 66-156 (1966) criminalizes rape, and if the victim is under 16 years, the sentence is increased to 10–20 years imprisonment" (8).
Variables: LRW-LAW-1
"Article 336 of the Penal Code No. 66-156 (1966) criminalizes rape, and if the victim is under 16 years, the sentence is increased to 10–20 years imprisonment" (8).
Feb. 22, 2026, 12:45 p.m.
Countries: Argentina
Variables: LRW-LAW-1
"Rape of men or women, including spousal rape or intimate partner rape and other forms of domestic and sexual violence, was a crime. The law did not include so-called corrective rape of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex (LGBTQI+) persons. The penalties ranged from six months’ to 20 years’ imprisonment, depending on the ages of the perpetrator and survivor, their relationship, the use of violence, and other factors" (17).
Variables: LRW-LAW-1
"Rape of men or women, including spousal rape or intimate partner rape and other forms of domestic and sexual violence, was a crime. The law did not include so-called corrective rape of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex (LGBTQI+) persons. The penalties ranged from six months’ to 20 years’ imprisonment, depending on the ages of the perpetrator and survivor, their relationship, the use of violence, and other factors" (17).
Feb. 6, 2026, 12:01 p.m.
Countries: Pakistan
Variables: LRW-LAW-1, LRW-LAW-2
"The legislation [Child Marriage Restraint Bill], set to be signed into effect by President Asif Ali Zardari, will see adults found to be cohabiting with minors punished by up to seven years in prison and a fine of one million rupees (£2,663) on charges of statutory rape" (para 3).
Variables: LRW-LAW-1, LRW-LAW-2
"The legislation [Child Marriage Restraint Bill], set to be signed into effect by President Asif Ali Zardari, will see adults found to be cohabiting with minors punished by up to seven years in prison and a fine of one million rupees (£2,663) on charges of statutory rape" (para 3).
Jan. 24, 2026, 3:47 p.m.
Countries: Argentina
Variables: LRW-LAW-1
"Rape of men and women, including spousal rape, is a crime. The penalties range from six months’ to 20 years’ imprisonment, depending on the ages of the perpetrator and victim, their relationship, the use of violence, and other factors. Most perpetrators received penalties between six and15 years’ imprisonment" (15).
Variables: LRW-LAW-1
"Rape of men and women, including spousal rape, is a crime. The penalties range from six months’ to 20 years’ imprisonment, depending on the ages of the perpetrator and victim, their relationship, the use of violence, and other factors. Most perpetrators received penalties between six and15 years’ imprisonment" (15).
Jan. 24, 2026, 3:32 p.m.
Countries: Argentina
Variables: LRW-LAW-1
"For Argentinean law, sexual abuse consists of 'making bodily contact of sexual significance between one’s own body and that of another person, or by means of an instrument, without the consent of the passive subject'. In order to constitute the crime of sexual abuse, there must be violence, threat, coercion or intimidation in a relationship of dependence, authority or power, or take advantage of the fact that the victim, for whatever reason, has not been able to freely consent to the action" (para 38).
Variables: LRW-LAW-1
"For Argentinean law, sexual abuse consists of 'making bodily contact of sexual significance between one’s own body and that of another person, or by means of an instrument, without the consent of the passive subject'. In order to constitute the crime of sexual abuse, there must be violence, threat, coercion or intimidation in a relationship of dependence, authority or power, or take advantage of the fact that the victim, for whatever reason, has not been able to freely consent to the action" (para 38).
Jan. 24, 2026, 3:21 p.m.
Countries: Argentina
Variables: LRW-LAW-1
"Rape of men and women, including spousal rape, is a crime. The penalties range from six months’ to 20 years’ imprisonment, depending on the ages of the perpetrator and victim, their relationship, and the use of violence, among other factors. Most perpetrators received penalties between six and 15 years’ imprisonment" (16-17).
Variables: LRW-LAW-1
"Rape of men and women, including spousal rape, is a crime. The penalties range from six months’ to 20 years’ imprisonment, depending on the ages of the perpetrator and victim, their relationship, and the use of violence, among other factors. Most perpetrators received penalties between six and 15 years’ imprisonment" (16-17).
Jan. 24, 2026, 3:01 p.m.
Countries: Angola
Variables: LRW-LAW-1
"This position was expressed during the debate on the proposal to amend the Penal Code, which establishes a criminal framework of 3 to 12 years in prison for crimes of sexual rape... During the discussions, the deputies also proposed changing the wording of the article related to the criminal framework regarding sexual abuse, which states that 'anyone who, being an adult, performs a sexual act with a minor, for payment or other consideration, is punished with a prison sentence from 6 months to 3 years', when this should be from 3 to 12 years" (para 1-3).
Variables: LRW-LAW-1
"This position was expressed during the debate on the proposal to amend the Penal Code, which establishes a criminal framework of 3 to 12 years in prison for crimes of sexual rape... During the discussions, the deputies also proposed changing the wording of the article related to the criminal framework regarding sexual abuse, which states that 'anyone who, being an adult, performs a sexual act with a minor, for payment or other consideration, is punished with a prison sentence from 6 months to 3 years', when this should be from 3 to 12 years" (para 1-3).
Jan. 24, 2026, 9:46 a.m.
Countries: Angola
Variables: LRW-LAW-1
"The law distinguishes the crimes of 'sexual aggression' and 'sexual aggression with penetration.' A person commits the crime of sexual aggression (article 182) if (i) he or she practices a sexual act by means of coercion, violence, or threat against someone, including a spouse, or (ii) he or she enables another person to commit such act against a third person and the sentence ranges from six months to four years of imprisonment. However, article 183 states that if the coerced sexual act involves penetration, the crime committed is 'sexual aggression with penetration,' which entails a higher sentence of up to 10 years in prison. Penetration is defined as “copulation, anal...more
Variables: LRW-LAW-1
"The law distinguishes the crimes of 'sexual aggression' and 'sexual aggression with penetration.' A person commits the crime of sexual aggression (article 182) if (i) he or she practices a sexual act by means of coercion, violence, or threat against someone, including a spouse, or (ii) he or she enables another person to commit such act against a third person and the sentence ranges from six months to four years of imprisonment. However, article 183 states that if the coerced sexual act involves penetration, the crime committed is 'sexual aggression with penetration,' which entails a higher sentence of up to 10 years in prison. Penetration is defined as “copulation, anal...more
Jan. 24, 2026, 9:07 a.m.
Countries: Angola
Variables: LRW-LAW-1
"Rape, including spousal rape and intimate partner rape, was illegal and punishable by up to 12 years’ imprisonment if convicted, depending on aggravating situations" (para 73).
Variables: LRW-LAW-1
"Rape, including spousal rape and intimate partner rape, was illegal and punishable by up to 12 years’ imprisonment if convicted, depending on aggravating situations" (para 73).
Jan. 24, 2026, 8:42 a.m.
Countries: Angola
Variables: LRW-LAW-1
"Rape, including spousal rape and intimate partner rape, was illegal and punishable by up to 12 years’ imprisonment if convicted, depending on aggravating situations" (para 73).
Variables: LRW-LAW-1
"Rape, including spousal rape and intimate partner rape, was illegal and punishable by up to 12 years’ imprisonment if convicted, depending on aggravating situations" (para 73).
Jan. 18, 2026, 9:51 p.m.
Countries: Algeria
Variables: LRW-LAW-1
"The law criminalized rape but did not explicitly address spousal rape. Prison sentences for rape ranged from five to 10 years and, although rape was rarely reported due to cultural norms, authorities generally enforced the law. The penal code allowed an adult accused of 'corruption of a minor' to avoid prosecution if the accused subsequently married their victim and if the crime did not involve violence, threats, or fraud. The law stipulated sentences of one year to life imprisonment for “anyone who voluntarily causes injury or blows to their spouse.' It also provided penalties for verbal and psychological violence, sexual assault, harassment, and indecent assault" (para 110).
Variables: LRW-LAW-1
"The law criminalized rape but did not explicitly address spousal rape. Prison sentences for rape ranged from five to 10 years and, although rape was rarely reported due to cultural norms, authorities generally enforced the law. The penal code allowed an adult accused of 'corruption of a minor' to avoid prosecution if the accused subsequently married their victim and if the crime did not involve violence, threats, or fraud. The law stipulated sentences of one year to life imprisonment for “anyone who voluntarily causes injury or blows to their spouse.' It also provided penalties for verbal and psychological violence, sexual assault, harassment, and indecent assault" (para 110).
Jan. 18, 2026, 8:35 p.m.
Countries: Albania
Variables: LRW-LAW-1
"Sexual offences are covered by the Penal Code (article 100 to 108), and are subject to penal sanctions according to the perceived gravity of the crime and the youth of the victim. Consensual sexual intercourse with a minor girl who has not reached 13 years of age or has not reached sexual maturity is sentenced between 5 and 15 years of imprisonment (statutory rape). If intercourse is not consensual the sentence ranges from 10 to 20 years imprisonment. If the act results in the death or suicide of the victim, the penalty is no less than 20 years. Nonconsensual sexual intercourse with a minor girl (14 to 18 years of...more
Variables: LRW-LAW-1
"Sexual offences are covered by the Penal Code (article 100 to 108), and are subject to penal sanctions according to the perceived gravity of the crime and the youth of the victim. Consensual sexual intercourse with a minor girl who has not reached 13 years of age or has not reached sexual maturity is sentenced between 5 and 15 years of imprisonment (statutory rape). If intercourse is not consensual the sentence ranges from 10 to 20 years imprisonment. If the act results in the death or suicide of the victim, the penalty is no less than 20 years. Nonconsensual sexual intercourse with a minor girl (14 to 18 years of...more
Jan. 18, 2026, 8:03 p.m.
Countries: Albania
Variables: LRW-LAW-1
"Rape and Domestic Violence: Rape, including spousal rape, is a crime; the law also includes provisions on sexual assault. Penalties for rape and sexual assault depend on the age of the victim. For rape of an adult, the penalty is three to 10 years in prison. The government did not enforce the law effectively. Authorities did not disaggregate data on prosecutions for spousal rape. The concept of spousal rape was not well understood, and authorities often did not consider it a crime" (para 92).
Variables: LRW-LAW-1
"Rape and Domestic Violence: Rape, including spousal rape, is a crime; the law also includes provisions on sexual assault. Penalties for rape and sexual assault depend on the age of the victim. For rape of an adult, the penalty is three to 10 years in prison. The government did not enforce the law effectively. Authorities did not disaggregate data on prosecutions for spousal rape. The concept of spousal rape was not well understood, and authorities often did not consider it a crime" (para 92).
Jan. 18, 2026, 7:51 p.m.
Countries: Albania
Variables: LRW-LAW-1
"[A]ccording to the Albanian Criminal Code, a sexual act with adults is considered rape only if the condition of use of threat or physical violence by one party is met. The absence of consent is a prerequisite only for rape between spouses or cohabitants. The use of coercion is also the main element of sexual violence against minors 14 to 18 years old (Article 101) and in same-sex relations (Article 102/1). In all these cases, the burden of proof rests upon the victim, who must be able to prove the use of violence against them as well as their resistance" (2).
Variables: LRW-LAW-1
"[A]ccording to the Albanian Criminal Code, a sexual act with adults is considered rape only if the condition of use of threat or physical violence by one party is met. The absence of consent is a prerequisite only for rape between spouses or cohabitants. The use of coercion is also the main element of sexual violence against minors 14 to 18 years old (Article 101) and in same-sex relations (Article 102/1). In all these cases, the burden of proof rests upon the victim, who must be able to prove the use of violence against them as well as their resistance" (2).
Jan. 18, 2026, 7:37 p.m.
Countries: Afghanistan
Variables: LRW-LAW-1
"Richard Bennett said in a report to the U.N. General Assembly circulated Wednesday that after seizing power in 2021 the Taliban suspended the 2004 constitution and laws protecting the rights of women and girls. These include a landmark law that criminalized 22 forms of violence against women, including rape and child and forced marriage" (para 2).
Variables: LRW-LAW-1
"Richard Bennett said in a report to the U.N. General Assembly circulated Wednesday that after seizing power in 2021 the Taliban suspended the 2004 constitution and laws protecting the rights of women and girls. These include a landmark law that criminalized 22 forms of violence against women, including rape and child and forced marriage" (para 2).
Jan. 18, 2026, 6:13 p.m.
Countries: Afghanistan
Variables: LRW-LAW-1
"Under the previous Afghan government (pre-2021), the 2009 Elimination of Violence Against Women (EVAW) Law criminalized forced marriage, rape, and other forms of gender-based violence. The law recognized lack of consent as a core element of sexual violence. However, enforcement was weak due to cultural taboos and judicial bias against women. Post-2021, the Taliban do not recognize women’s individual consent in legal, marital, and sexual contexts. Instead, male guardianship dictates women’s decisions, effectively erasing consent as a legal concept" (para 8-9).
Variables: LRW-LAW-1
"Under the previous Afghan government (pre-2021), the 2009 Elimination of Violence Against Women (EVAW) Law criminalized forced marriage, rape, and other forms of gender-based violence. The law recognized lack of consent as a core element of sexual violence. However, enforcement was weak due to cultural taboos and judicial bias against women. Post-2021, the Taliban do not recognize women’s individual consent in legal, marital, and sexual contexts. Instead, male guardianship dictates women’s decisions, effectively erasing consent as a legal concept" (para 8-9).
Jan. 9, 2026, 12:50 p.m.
Countries: United States
Variables: LRW-LAW-1
"'Child marriage is a workaround for statuatory rape and trafficking laws,' [Fraidy Reiss, founder and executive director of anti-child marriage nonprofit Unchained at Last] said" (6). This quote acknowledges the existence of laws against statuatory rape, but does not specifically mention the age of consent cut-off (NAC - CODER COMMENT).
Variables: LRW-LAW-1
"'Child marriage is a workaround for statuatory rape and trafficking laws,' [Fraidy Reiss, founder and executive director of anti-child marriage nonprofit Unchained at Last] said" (6). This quote acknowledges the existence of laws against statuatory rape, but does not specifically mention the age of consent cut-off (NAC - CODER COMMENT).
Dec. 30, 2025, 5:37 p.m.
Countries: United Kingdom
Variables: LRW-LAW-1
"[T]he legal age of consent to sexual activity... will remain 16" (para 4).
Variables: LRW-LAW-1
"[T]he legal age of consent to sexual activity... will remain 16" (para 4).
Nov. 5, 2025, 7:59 a.m.
Countries: United Kingdom
Variables: LRW-LAW-1
"Rape suspects are 'taking advantage' of delays in the criminal justice system by pleading not guilty in the hope that frustrated victims will drop out, Britain's top prosecutor has warned. The head of the Crown Prosecution Service, Stephen Parkinson suggested defendants are playing the system calculating that victims waiting years for justice may withdraw as cases are now being delayed until late 2027. The Director of Public Prosecutions said the length of time it is taking for police to investigate crimes and bring them to court is 'outrageous'" (para 1-3). This information indicates the existance of laws against rape in Britain, though inefficient (MR-CODER COMMENT). "'Typically, it can take two...more
Variables: LRW-LAW-1
"Rape suspects are 'taking advantage' of delays in the criminal justice system by pleading not guilty in the hope that frustrated victims will drop out, Britain's top prosecutor has warned. The head of the Crown Prosecution Service, Stephen Parkinson suggested defendants are playing the system calculating that victims waiting years for justice may withdraw as cases are now being delayed until late 2027. The Director of Public Prosecutions said the length of time it is taking for police to investigate crimes and bring them to court is 'outrageous'" (para 1-3). This information indicates the existance of laws against rape in Britain, though inefficient (MR-CODER COMMENT). "'Typically, it can take two...more
Nov. 2, 2025, 7:43 p.m.
Countries: Bangladesh
Variables: LRW-LAW-1
"Bangladesh is one of the few countries that tolerates prostitution and girls are being forced into following their mothers into the exploitative industry from as young as 14 - the country's age of consent" (para 3).
Variables: LRW-LAW-1
"Bangladesh is one of the few countries that tolerates prostitution and girls are being forced into following their mothers into the exploitative industry from as young as 14 - the country's age of consent" (para 3).
Oct. 25, 2025, 6:56 p.m.
Countries: Madagascar
Variables: LRW-LAW-1
"A court in Madagascar has sentenced a man to surgical castration for the rape of a child in 2024, a judicial official said, in the first such measure on the Indian Ocean island" (para 1).
Variables: LRW-LAW-1
"A court in Madagascar has sentenced a man to surgical castration for the rape of a child in 2024, a judicial official said, in the first such measure on the Indian Ocean island" (para 1).
Oct. 24, 2025, 11:32 p.m.
Countries: Iraq
Variables: LRW-LAW-1
"Currently in Iraq, the minimum age of marriage is 18" (para. 9). As premarital sex is forbidden in Iraq, the age of marriage is also the age of consent (NAC - CODER COMMENT).
Variables: LRW-LAW-1
"Currently in Iraq, the minimum age of marriage is 18" (para. 9). As premarital sex is forbidden in Iraq, the age of marriage is also the age of consent (NAC - CODER COMMENT).
Oct. 17, 2025, 3:47 p.m.
Countries: Japan
Variables: LRW-LAW-1
"Thanks to a legally embedded hierarchy in which the sexual assault of an intoxicated person is categorised as less serious than a stranger assault, Japanese law refers to this offence as ‘quasi-rape’" (para. 28).
Variables: LRW-LAW-1
"Thanks to a legally embedded hierarchy in which the sexual assault of an intoxicated person is categorised as less serious than a stranger assault, Japanese law refers to this offence as ‘quasi-rape’" (para. 28).
Oct. 10, 2025, 9:15 p.m.
Countries: South Korea
Variables: LRW-LAW-1
"At the heart of the controversy [around false accusations of rape] is a 1953 law that defines rape on the basis of physical violence, not lack of consent" (para 10). "[South Korea] already has one of the world’s toughest laws against false accusers, punishable with up to 10 years in prison—compared to up to five years in countries such as the United States and Germany" (para 18).
Variables: LRW-LAW-1
"At the heart of the controversy [around false accusations of rape] is a 1953 law that defines rape on the basis of physical violence, not lack of consent" (para 10). "[South Korea] already has one of the world’s toughest laws against false accusers, punishable with up to 10 years in prison—compared to up to five years in countries such as the United States and Germany" (para 18).