Rape Law

Brief Description

The rape law of 4 July 1989 provided the first legal definition of the crime of rape in Belgium, as: “any act of sexual penetration, of whatever sort and by whatever means, committed on a non-consenting person”. The means employed, the sex of the victim and the orifice of penetration are immaterial. Rape within marriage is also punishable by law. The law also amended the applicable penalties and the definition of aggravating circumstances, and introduced a number of procedural changes.