#MeToo and sexual criminal law: revolution in the fight against sexual violence!

#MeToo and sexual criminal law: revolution in the fight against sexual violence!

On Thursday, June 6, 2019, a high-profile event took place at the Institute for Procedural and Legal Law at Leibniz University Hannover, at which the deputy editor-in-chief of the weekly newspaper “Die Zeit”, Sabine Rückert, was invited as a speaker. Rückert, known for her award-winning court and crime reports, prepared the discussion about the new sexual criminal law and the #metoo movement at the event. This series of lectures entitled “Student Food” aims to broaden the perspective of students and external guests on legal scholarship and actual practice.

The event began at 7 p.m. in the large lecture hall on the Conti campus in Hanover. Rückert discussed how the media can influence sexual criminal law and what significance the #metoo debate has in this context. This debate, as many observers have noted, has intensified awareness of sexual assault and advocacy for the rights of victims worldwide.

Influence of the #metoo movement

The #metoo movement, which has received much attention in recent years, shines a light on sexual assault, particularly against powerful men. In the USA it was triggered by high-profile incidents such as that of producer Harvey Weinstein. His conviction in 2020 was a turning point in society's discussion about power, sexuality and the right to bodily autonomy.

A central aspect of the #metoo movement is the demand for legal and social reforms. In the German context, public pressure led to a reform of sexual criminal law, in particular the introduction of the principle “no means no”. This change makes sexual contact without clear consent a criminal offense and shows how deeply the issue is embedded in society.

Current challenges and future considerations

But the #metoo debate also brings challenges. Experts emphasize the need for a fair and comprehensive fact-gathering process to avoid unfairness in the assessment of allegations. Emotional distortions could influence both judgments and public perception, complicating legal processes. In addition, the challenge remains that despite the reforms, only a small number of victims actually dare to report the crime.

The increased sensitivity of judges to sexual violence is a positive sign. But alongside improved support for victims, clear criteria for assessing allegations are needed to ensure that penalties are proportionate to the misconduct. A differentiated approach to public accusations already shows irreversible damage that can harm not only the accused but also the victims.

In summary, the #metoo movement could not only stimulate debate, but also stimulate legal reforms in sexual criminal law. The resulting pressure has already led to public prosecutors and courts taking more decisive action against perpetrators and strengthening victim protection. Rückert's participation in the lecture series would not only be an opportunity to reflect on these developments, but also an important platform for disseminating knowledge and promoting dialogue about these important social changes.

For further information about the event, please contact Prof. Dr. Christian Wolf and Nadja Flegler from the Institute for Procedural and Legal Law are available. You can find out more about the legal background and further developments in the area of ​​sexual criminal law at German Law Journal as well as at Lawyer in Hanover be read.