Icelandic MP calls for review after rape acquittal

Samfylkingin MP Arna Lára Jónsdóttir called for an independent review of how sexual and gender-based violence cases are handled after a man was acquitted of rape, mbl.is reported. She told Alþingi, Iceland’s parliament, that consent to sex is not consent to violence.

The Court of Appeal acquitted the man on October 15, overturning a lower court ruling that had convicted him of rape and sentenced him to five years in prison. The case centred on whether the woman had consented to rough sex.

Arna Lára said the lower court had found that the woman suffered a broken rib, hearing loss, head injuries, jaw tenderness and sprains to her neck, shoulder, lower back and pelvis. She said the woman remained unable to work three years after the incident.

The Court of Appeal was divided. Arna Lára said judges who supported acquittal acknowledged that rape victims can freeze in fear and that violence during sex must be explicitly and clearly agreed to.

More than 4,000 people have signed a petition calling on Alþingi and the justice minister to seek an independent review of cases involving sexual and gender-based violence, from investigation through court proceedings. The review should examine the assessment of evidence, medical records, victims’ accounts, consent and its limits, the withdrawal of consent, and intent, she said.