EU to harmonize criminalization of rape across the bloc

The European Union’s executive arm wants to harmonize the criminalization of rape across the 27-nation bloc on the strict basis of lack of consent

BRUSSELS -- The European Union's executive arm unveiled plans Tuesday to harmonize the criminalization of rape across the 27-nation bloc on the strict basis of lack of consent. The plans also include the criminalization of female genital mutilation and cyber violence.

The large majority of EU member countries already treat violence against women and girls as a crime but the commission said there are gaps in national legislation. For instance, while rape is criminalized across the bloc, 18 members still require the use of force or threats to mete out punishment.

The proposed directive unveiled by the European Commission on International Women's Day also lays out targeted support from member countries to specific groups including women fleeing armed conflict.

That topic has gained further prominence since Russia started its invasion of non-EU member Ukraine last month. The war has led hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian women and children to flee their country, exposing themselves to a high risk of exploitation by human traffickers.