Melanie Winiger makes politics

It’s actually very simple, says actress Melanie Winiger (43) at the beginning of the film. Rapper Knackeboul (40) takes over: “My body is mine.” SP alderman Tamara Funiciello (32) reverses the perspective and points to the camera: “Your body is yours!”

Six other celebrities hammer on their short sentences. The 60 second video is powerful, serious and political. Tamara Funiciello brought the celebrities in front of the camera. The message: “Only yes means yes.” Singer Naomi Lareine (28) says: “It’s about protection against violence.”

With their performance, the personalities from culture and politics get involved in the ongoing debate on the revision of the criminal law for sex crimes. It is already clear today: the law is becoming stricter. Minimum penalties and statutes of limitations are increased. The focus is on the concept of rape. In the future, male victims should also be included. And it needs to be tightened.

The question is: how?

Council of States must have the books

Today, a sexual act is only considered rape if the victim is forced to do so by physical or psychological pressure. In the future, if the Federal Council and the Council of States have their way, a “no” from the victim should suffice: if the victim expresses his rejection verbally or non-verbally, sex is defined as rape – even without violence or mental health problems. pressure. “No is no” is the formula.

But that does not go far enough for the SP, the Greens and women’s organizations such as Alliance F. They require explicit consent as a requirement for consensual sex. “Many victims cannot express their displeasure at all because they are in shock,” says Tamara Funiciello. It is therefore clear to her: “Only yes is yes.”

In October, a majority of the National Council’s legal committee agreed to this solution. The grand chamber will debate it next week. If the National Council accepts the proposal, the Council of States will have to go through the books again.

“I want it in law”

Various organizations are pressuring them: the UN Commission on Women’s Rights demands that Switzerland adopt the principle “Only yes is yes”. Last Monday, Amnesty International and Operation Libero along with 50 other organizations issued a “wake-up call to Parliament” to the Federal Chancellery. SP Federal Council candidate Elisabeth Baume-Schneider (58) was also there.

Now the SP is launching the celebrity video. The protagonists want every voice taken seriously – “by our partners, the law enforcement agencies and the law”. Drag Queen Paprika (25) says: “It takes communication, mindfulness and respect.” Melanie Winiger says “only yes is yes” goes without saying and belongs in the law.

Why this movie?

“It has to show parliament that society is ready,” says Tamara Funiciello. “Our demand is so obvious, people from all walks of life are campaigning for it.” According to Funiciello, it is important that this consent solution shifts the focus from the victims to the perpetrators. Singer Naomi Lareine says: “It goes without saying that you only have sex with each other if everyone involved wants it. I want it written into the law, that’s what I’m committed to.”

Caroni suspects unnecessary criminalization

If Andrea Caroni (42) gets his way, ‘No is No’ should become law. The FDP Council of States helped shape the revision. “Our reform has been a great success,” emphasizes Caroni. “But I don’t think that last extra request from the SP is necessary.” The “No is no” solution covers all cases, says Caroni. “The consent solution, on the other hand, entails unnecessary criminalization and legal uncertainty.” Which variant is ultimately in the law is not decisive for him: “The most important thing is that the reform comes through, and that will succeed.

Funiciello and her celebrities believe in that too. But they want to finish the journey. For her it is clear: “Only yes is yes.”