Switzerland

According to the Federal Court, the relatively short duration of a rape – 11 minutes in this particular case – can play a role in determining the sentence of a perpetrator.

In 2021, the Basel Court of Appeal reduced the sentence for a rapist and justified this by stating, among other things, that the crime had only lasted 11 minutes. In addition, the victim had sent out the wrong signals before the crime. The court’s decision led to protests in several cities. Around 500 people gathered in front of the court in Basel and held their arms up in silence for 11 minutes – as long as the rape had lasted. ...