The Prime Minister of Spain apologizes for a loophole in the reform of the law on sexual consent

The “Yes Only Is Yes” law, which came about in part as a result of public outrage over the so-called Wolf Pack case, focused on consent and was intended to resolve cases where defendants were convicted of the crime of sexual abuse because the victims did not resist because of fear.

But because the new law carries a lower minimum sentence — the result of merging the crimes of sexual abuse and assault — it has allowed some criminals convicted before it took effect to successfully obtain reduced sentences or early release.

After the law was passed in October, sentences in 978 cases were reduced, and 104 detainees were released early by March 31, the General Council of Judges, the superior body of judges, said last week.

“Some of these releases or revisions are not final, they can still be challenged. But, in any case, there was an unwanted effect that we have to solve,” Sanchez said in an interview given to El Correo newspaper and quoted by Reuters.

“If we have to apologize to the victims, I apologize to the victims.”

The issue has split the coalition, with the Socialists keen to reform the law but their governing partners Unidas Podemos resisting their suggestions.

Combating gender-based violence has been a priority on the coalition’s agenda since the “Wolf Pack” case, in which five men raped an 18-year-old girl at the Pamplona bull running festival in 2016. They were sentenced to nine years in prison. prison for sexual assault, which is a less serious offense than rape. Many Spaniards considered the punishment too low for such an act, given that prosecutors had asked for 20 years in prison for each of the five.