Simon Hunter
THE NUMBER of convicted sex offenders who have secured early release from prison thanks to a controversial new consent law has now passed the 100 mark, and stands at 103.
That’s according to Spain’s legal watchdog, the CGPJ, which also confirmed that 943 more convicts have had their sentences reduced thanks to the legislation, dubbed ‘only yes means yes’.
Sources from the CGPJ told Europa Press that the number could rise yet further in the coming days as provincial and regional courts update their statistics.
The ‘Full Guarantee of Sexual Freedom Act’ was drafted by the Equality Ministry, which is run by leftist Unidas Podemos, and was aimed at ensuring that consent be given before sexual relations and that it cannot be assumed to have been granted either by default or with silence.
It came into force in October, but had the unexpected effect of allowing judges to either reduce the sentences of convicted sex offenders or even grant them early release.
This was because under some aggravating circumstances, the minimum sentences were lowered by the ‘yes means yes’ act. Under Spanish law, these minimum sentences must be applied retroactively.
The controversy has caused tensions between Unidas Podemos and its senior partner in the coalition government, the Socialist Party (PSOE).
While it initially supported the law, the PSOE has since proposed changes that would avoid these sentence reductions.
Unidas Podemos has filed amendments to the PSOE’s proposals, but the main governing party made clear earlier this week that it would not accept them and that it would press ahead with its planned changes.
Read more:
- No means no: Row in Spain’s government over controversial consent law rumbles on
- Minister in Spain laughs off accusations that government is ‘legalising bestiality’
- Poll: 22% of women in Spain say they have been sexually assaulted
