In a number of Member States, violence is still mentioned as a condition for the recognition of rape.

Omissions

• The claim was made during a European Parliament vote on April 23, 2026 calling for an EU-wide consent-based definition of rape.
• The exact number of Member States requiring violence/coercion is 10 out of 27, based on 2024 data.
• 17 Member States already have consent-based definitions.

Sources

• PrimaryEuropean Parliament Research Service (EPRS) - Definitions of rape in the legislation of EU Member StatesOverview of legal provisions on rape in 27 EU Member States. 17 out of 27 Member States define rape based on lack of consent, meaning 10 Member States use other criteria including violence, coercion, or threat as conditions for rape recognition.
• PrimaryEuropean Parliament Press Release - Rape must be defined based on the absence of consentThe resolution calls for rape to be defined based on absence of consent in all EU countries. References EPRS study showing variations in Member State legislation.
• SecondaryEuronews - European Parliament calls to define rape as sex without consentLack of consent is already a defining element of rape or sexual assault in 17 out of 27 member states. The Parliament calls on the remaining EU countries to change their legislation.