Anyone who has seen the acclaimed HBO series ‘I May Destroy You’ knows what stealthing is. This is when someone, usually a man, removes a condom during intercourse without informing their sexual partner.
Widely regarded as a form of sexual assault, there is no legislation prohibiting the practice in Denmark – to the widespread dismay of e.g. Sex and Society and the Everyday Sexism Project Denmark, who have constantly fought to criminalize it.
But finally, it seems that the hard work is paying off, as Minister of Justice Peter Hummelgaard has said that he intends to tell action.
Already illegal in many countries
A recent report issued by Columbia University concludes that victims of theft suffer the same kind of psychological damage as people who are victims of other forms of sexual assault, such as rape.
This is good news for victims like 28-year-old Stephanie Sørensen, who was brave enough to share her experience with TV2.
“I hadn’t even considered that he could do it. It is so unpleasant and disgusting that someone is willing to cross these lines and show so little respect. Especially when you’re doing something so intimate,” she recalled.
The UK, Australia and New Zealand all have laws to protect people from theft, but Denmark has none. So when the victims report the act to the police, they are surprised to hear that there is nothing they can do.
Introducing legislation could be a lengthy process
Hummelgaard has confirmed that it will now be investigated: the problem itself and how severely the perpetrators must be punished.
“Now we here in the ministry will try to form an overview of the problem, gather the necessary experience and then call a party meeting in the Folketing about it within the foreseeable future,” he promised.
However, a law professor warns that it will be no formality.
“You have to make sure to formulate the penalty provision in such a way that it hits exactly what you want to punish, and that you also make sure to formulate it in such a way that it will also be possible to prove it in practice,” professor professor. Trine Baumbach told DR.
Source: The Nordic Page