Perpetrators will face imprisonment ranging from two to 15 years.
The amendment received broad support, with 335 MPs voting in favor, 44 against, and 47 abstentions. According to the new law, it will be considered rape to coerce another person into sexual intercourse through violence, unlawful threat, deception, or any other means despite the lack of consent.
The offense will now be punishable by two to 15 years' imprisonment, an increase from the previous range of two to 12 years.
The current definition of rape, which dates back to 1932, states: "Whoever by violence, unlawful threat or deception leads another person to submit to a sexual act [...] shall be punished by imprisonment." The new amendment replaces this outdated, according to the lawmakers, definition.
Additionally, the law includes a provision that punishes with six months to eight years in prison anyone who, through violence, unlawful threat, deceit, or by taking advantage of a person's inability to recognize the meaning of the act or to direct their conduct, coerces another person into submitting to or performing another sexual act.
The bill will now proceed to the upper house of Polish bi-cameral parliament, the Senat, for further consideration.
(jh)
Source: PAP