The government is proposing a 50 percent increase in punishment for the most serious rape offenses as part of a criminal justice reform initiative. Minister of Justice Peter Hummelgaard will present the proposal, which aims to address what the government sees as an unacceptable rise in violent crimes.

The proposed increase directly stems from a commitment made in the government platform drafted in 2022. The platform pledged to increase penalties for violent crimes, including rape. The change could mean that a sentence of three years for serious rape could increase to four and a half years. Legal notes will accompany the proposal to guide courts in applying the increased penalties.

Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen also announced a plan to double the punishment for gross and extremely gross violence. Speaking at the closing debate in Parliament, Frederiksen emphasized the need for sentences that reflect the severity of the crimes, stating that certain individuals should not be free in society.

While research suggests that increased punishments may not deter violence or rape, the Minister of Justice maintains that the government is approaching the issue from the perspective of the victim and societal norms. He stated that the reform reflects a stance against increasingly serious crime.