Europe revises consent rules
European Union member states and the European Parliament have approved new legislation known as "Yes Means Yes," which aims to tighten rules against sexual assault on children. The law now requires clear and explicit consent for sexual activities, replacing the previous reliance on the absence of resistance or silence. Any sexual acts conducted without explicit consent are punishable by up to ten years in prison, with silence from the child not interpreted as consent. The amendments now stipulate that explicit consent is necessary for relationships with children who have reached the age of legal majority, while ensuring protection for minors from exploitation. Laws still vary between countries regarding the age of consent, associated restrictions related to exploitation, and age gap considerations. These amendments await final official approval from the relevant European authorities.
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