Amendments to the Criminal and Criminal Procedural Codes

Brief Description

In December 2017, the Law of Ukraine "On Amendments to the Criminal and Criminal Procedural Codes of Ukraine to implement the provisions of the Council of Europe Convention on the Prevention of Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence and the fight against these phenomena" was adopted. Adopted amendments include, among other things, the criminalization of domestic violence, forced marriage, illegal abortion or sterilization, the imposition of restrictive measures against a person who committed domestic violence, as well as criminal liability for noncompliance with restrictive measures or restrictive regulations and non-compliance with the program for direct perpetrators. The modern approach to crimes against the sexual freedom and sexual integrity of a person is consolidated, introducing the concept of "voluntary consent" and the fact of "penetration" as a distinction between rape and other forms of sexual violence. Domestic violence, all forms of sexual violence that qualify as a crime, are punishable by public works, arrests, or imprisonment. All forms of sexual acts must be carried out solely on the basis of voluntary consent, regardless of the relationship between the victim and the direct perpetrator (in particular, including marital rape). In addition, the Law increases the liability for any crime, if committed, among other things, with respect to the spouse or ex-spouse or other person with whom the offender is in a family or intimate relationship.