Spanish PM apologises over sexual consent law reform loophole

In a Sunday interview, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez apologized to sexual assault victims for a gap in a sexual violence statute. At least 978 prisoners reduced or ended their sentences via this loophole.

Public outcry over the “Wolf Pack” case led to the “Only Yes Is Yes” consent statute. The statute addressed incidents when defendants were convicted of sexual abuse because victims did not resist out of fear. However, the new law’s lower minimum term has allowed some pre-law offenders to seek reduced sentences or early release.

As of March 31, the General Council of the Judiciary, the highest judge body, reported that 978 sentences had been lowered and 104 prisoners have been released early since the law was implemented in October.

“Some of these releases or reviews are not final, they can still be appealed,” Sanchez told El Correo. However, an unwanted impact must be resolved. I apologize to victims if necessary.”

Socialists seek to change the law, but Unidas Podemos opposes them. Since the “Wolf Pack” case, in which five men were convicted of sexual abuse for gang-raping a young lady during the Pamplona bull-running event in 2016, the group has fought gender violence.