Rome, 19 November (LaPresse) – The Chamber of Deputies unanimously approved, with 227 votes in favour, the bill amending Article 609-bis of the Criminal Code on sexual violence and free expression of consent. The text is the result of a bipartisan amendment by rapporteurs Carolina Varchi (FdI) and Michela Di Biase (PD), approved in committee last week, which rewrites Article 609-bis of the Criminal Code. The approved text reads: 'Anyone who performs or causes another person to perform or undergo sexual acts without the latter's free and current consent shall be punished with imprisonment for a term of between six and twelve years. The same penalty shall apply to anyone who forces another person to perform or undergo sexual acts by means of violence or threats or by abuse of authority, or who induces another person to perform or undergo sexual acts by abusing the physical or mental inferiority or particular vulnerability of the victim at the time of the act, or by deceiving the victim by pretending to be another person. In less serious cases, the penalty is reduced by no more than two thirds. The measure will now be examined by the Senate.