Overview
- The Chamber of Deputies unanimously approved a reform of Article 609-bis centering sexual violence on the absence of “free and current” consent, with the Senate scheduled to vote today.
- Lawmakers are set to create an autonomous femminicidio offense (new Article 577-bis) with life imprisonment in aggravated cases and to require mandatory training for magistrates.
- The package includes stricter protective tools, such as broader use of house arrest to safeguard victims in precursor offenses.
- Official data indicate roughly 60% of women killed are murdered by current or former partners and most die at home, while only about 10% of victims report partner violence.
- Judges and researchers stress that real progress hinges on funding for shelters and risk assessment, uniform training across police and courts, sex-affective education in schools, and stronger responses to growing online abuse including doxing and deepfakes.