Sexuality and Law in Contemporary Europe

• In Event: Crtical Perspectives on Violence and Gender

Abstract

European countries are currently revising their laws on issues to do with sexuality, such as prostitution, rape, and grooming. While the developments may be very different, they all point to how European countries are significantly more invested in policy-making in the field of sexuality than previously. This indicates to us that something is at stake, not least as legitimate goals, such as the protection of children and women, may serve as a lever for punitive agendas. In many countries, women’s grassroots movements have turned to law as an ally in combating sexual violence. While some remain critical to attaching feminist concerns to state agendas, others maintain that there is nothing that achieves the goals of the movement so effectively. This paper takes as its starting point the coming together of state and feminist agendas in prioritizing legal strategies in the face of issues to do with sexuality, and will critically explore how these are underwritten by normalising ideas about sexuality, gender and victimhood. The paper will particularly focus on how protection and restriction is balanced in what is defined and policed as sex crimes.

Author

• May-Len Skilbrei, University of Oslo