Santo Domingo.– The deputy Carlos De Pérez spoke this Thursday about the article of the Penal Code project that establishes sanctions for non-consensual sexual relations within a relationship, arguing that this provision has existed since 1997 and has not generated problems in practice.
Although he acknowledged that the penalty contemplated in the new article 135 could seem “very drastic” to some, the legislator considered that it would not be correct to reduce it.You may be interested in: http://Senadora de SPM ve excesivas las penas por relaciones sexuales forzadas en parejas
“It would not be legislatively correct for us to reduce sentences,” he said, noting that during the last 28 years the similar regulations in force have not had negative consequences.
“That provision was already approved in 1997 and in 28 years we have not had such a negative incident that warrants repealing it,” explained De Pérez. He also indicated that instead of being alarmed by this point of the project, what should prevail is the idea that people should not have a “vocation for having non-consensual sexual relations”. When asked about the concern that the article could lead to false accusations in relationship conflicts. In response, Carlos De Pérez maintained that there is no reason for fear. “If in 28 years it hasn’t been misused, why now?” he questioned. Article 135 of the new Penal Code establishes sanctions for cases of sexual violence within the framework of a sentimental relationship, recognizing that consent is a right that must exist in all circumstances, regardless of the relationship. The Penal Code project was approved this morning in the Chamber of Deputies and is expected to be known soon in the Senate.
