Recent reforms of sexual offence laws across Europe reveal two distinct yet converging trends. Increasingly, countries have adopted a consent-based approach to reforming rape and sexual assault laws, moving away from traditional models centred on coercion or physical force. Simultaneously, there is growing recognition that sexual autonomy can be violated without physical contact, notably through online abuse, harassment, and other non-physical intrusions.

Although legal approaches to sexual offences vary across jurisdictions, there is a clear overall trend towards a more comprehensive and autonomy-focused understanding. In this context, comparative legal analysis is essential for identifying different models and legislative options, as well as for supporting reform efforts across Europe.

Within this framework, the Project aims to establish a network of researchers to forge links between scholars in order to compare sexual assault and harassment laws from a law reform perspective.

The planned activities will foster connections among researchers, encourage dialogue, and support a criminal law discussion group composed of scholars from different generations and backgrounds, actively engaging both experts and audience participants. Therefore, the Project encompasses activities designed to reinforce an international network of experts exploring reform perspectives on sexual offences, while fostering sustained, critical dialogue and debate in this field.