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Image copyrightEPAImage captionHundreds of women allege they were assaulted during New Year
celebrations in Cologne - but few perpetrators have been convicted
A number of prominent cases have pushed the issue into the spotlight.
The wave of attacks on New Year's Eve in Cologne shocked Germans, though prosecutions have
been minimal and many were aghast to learn that, once again, assault could only be proven under
German law if the victim resisted.
The attacks prompted a campaign for reform under the hashtag "NeinHeisstNein" (No means No).
Cologne sex attacks: MPs debate tougher laws
And, in a case that has sparked an outcry in Germany, two men were acquitted of drugging and
raping German model Gina-Lisa Lohfink - despite having uploaded a video of what took place, in
which she was reportedly heard saying, "Stop it, stop it" and "No".
Image copyrightGETTY IMAGESImage captionGina-Lisa Lohfink has appealed after receiving a fine for
false testimony
Not only were the men cleared of wrongdoing, but Ms Lohfink was fined 24,000 (21,000; $27,000)
for falsely testifying.
She has appealed against the the charges. The case has been compared to theStanford University
sexual assault furore in the United States.
Will the new law solve the problem?
Campaigners say the new law is a good start, but does not go far enough.
They have expressed concern that the law will not give adequate protection to victims who cannot
clearly convey their lack of consent - such as those who have been drugged.
There are also plans to tighten the law governing sexual harassment and group assaults.
The next ambition?
Activist Kristina Lunz said it was unacceptable that the vast majority of rapes were still going
unpunished in Germany.
"Of course it should be 'Yes means Yes'," says Ms Lunz, referring to a 2015 law passed in
California that makes the legal standard for sex affirmative verbal consent.