Sweden's new laws increased sexual assault convictions by seventy percent
By shifting the focus from physical struggle to the simple presence of a 'yes,' Swedish courts transformed how justice is delivered in the absence of violence.
In 2018, Sweden overhauled its legal code to define rape not by the presence of force, but by the absence of clear, affirmative consent. This shift fundamentally changed the burden of proof, moving away from the outdated requirement for a victim to prove they physically resisted. Under the new standard, sexual activity is only legal if all participants express their willingness through words or actions.
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