Overview
- Lawmakers voted 227–0 in the Chamber of Deputies, sending the measure to the Senate.
- The new Article 609-bis defines sexual violence as committing, causing, or making someone suffer sexual acts without that person's free and current consent.
- Prison terms are set at six to twelve years with possible reductions for lesser cases, and the code retains scenarios involving violence, threats, abuse of authority, or exploitation of vulnerability.
- A bipartisan text emerged from Justice Committee relators Carolina Varchi (FdI) and Michela Di Biase (PD) following negotiations that included Giorgia Meloni and Elly Schlein.
- Backers say the change shifts focus away from proving resistance and brings Italy closer to about 21 European countries, with calls for prevention, education and training to guide implementation.