ⓘ Content Warning: This article contains discussions of sexual violence.
The European Parliament has voted in favour of a historic resolution defining rape as sex without freely given and informed consent, a major step towards a more victim-centred approach to combating sexual violence across the EU.
MEPs are now urging the European Commission to introduce a common definition of rape in the EU, based on the absence of consent, calling for immediate action to close existing legal gaps between member states.
In practical terms, this would mean a consistent standard across Europe:
- Silence does not mean consent
- Not fighting back is not consent
- A past relationship is not consent
- Consent can be withdrawn at any moment
This is not the first attempt to advance legislation in this field. In 2024, the Council dropped the inclusion of a consent-based definition of rape from the directive on violence against women, leaving millions without equal protection across the EU. Two years later, MEPs are making clear that this gap can no longer be ignored.
The urgency is growing. Sexual violence is on the rise, including the spread of so-called ‘rape academies’ online where women are drugged, assaulted while unconscious and abused for content sharing. These cases highlight how sexual violence is not just an individual act but part of a wider system that normalises abuse.
Liberals argue that rape culture must be treated as a structural problem rather than isolated misconduct. Addressing it requires more than legislation alone, with stronger education, awareness campaigns and action against online misogyny all playing a key role.
MEPs are also calling for greater awareness around consent, bodily autonomy and the impact of anti-gender content, alongside action against incel propaganda and the growing ecosystem of online hate.
Liberals are calling for a victim-centred approach whereby legislation acknowledges trauma responses such as “freeze” or “fawn” - survival strategies where victims appease their attacker to avoid escalation and must never be mistaken for consent.
Gender-based violence has no place in the EU and every woman deserves to live free from violence. The EU must align around a single standard that protects all victims equally and ensures legal clarity across borders.
The liberal MEPs who coordinated on the production of the report “Importance of consent-based rape legislation in the EU,” commented on Tuesday’s vote:
Abir Al-Sahlani MEP (Centerpartiet, SE):
"For years the law has been built around the wrong picture of rape entirely. This report names rape culture for what it is, not a collection of bad individuals but a system of attitudes and norms that normalises sexual violence and protects perpetrators. Changing the law is how you start dismantling that system, and this vote is the first step."
Anna-Maja Henriksson MEP (Svenska Folkpartiet, FI) led negotiations as shadow rapporteur on the file, saying:
“Today is a historic day for strengthening girls' and women's rights across the EU. I am happy that the hard work that I have done as a negotiator for our group has now borne fruit. Now the Commission must step up its work and present a new legislative proposal. This is about the right of all girls and women to equal protection and punishment of the perpetrator, but also about changing attitudes.”
Commissioner for Equality Hadja Lahbib also spoke about the significance of this result:
“Consent must be at the heart of the definition of rape in European law. This was already a proposal from the European Commission in our directive on violence against women, it is a step in the right direction.”