From coercion to consent: Dutch rape law reform and the complexities of consent

Rape law reform currently ranks high on the agenda of many criminal justice systems. In this context, the distinction between different conceptions of rape as either consent- or coercion-based has traditionally played an important role. This paper analyses the shift from a coercion to a consent-based model of rape, using Dutch law as a backdrop to take a closer look at the ongoing discussion on how to regulate rape, as well as the uncertainties and complexities that reforms need to address. It departs from a theoretical level and first outlines the main features of the two aforementioned model... Mehr ...