Spain: Unconsented Hand-Kissing Deemed Sexual Assault

The Supreme Court of Spain has ruled that kissing a woman's hand without her consent constitutes sexual assault, not mere harassment.

The decision upholds the conviction of a man who touched a woman at a bus stop. The defense attempted to downgrade the charge to harassment, but the court rejected the request.

The court emphasized that the man's act, who kissed the woman's hand and offered her money, was intended to violate her sexual integrity.

Spain has pioneering legislation against gender violence since 2004.