The act of a person kissing the hand of a woman he does not know without permission has been officially declared sexual violence in Spain. The Supreme Court upheld the ruling made by the lower court regarding the incident that took place in the city of Alcobendas near Madrid.
The incident occurred at a bus stop. A man approached a woman, kissed her hand, and offered money, suggesting going together. The court did not consider this behavior a simple gesture of politeness. The judges confirmed that the act was a sexual gesture directed against the woman's bodily integrity and personal inviolability.
The accused will have to pay a fine exceeding 1500 euros (equivalent to 2942 manat according to the current exchange rate). Although some members within the court suggested interpreting the act as an outdated form of politeness, the final decision remained unchanged.
This legal step is related to the "only yes means consent" principle applied in the country. Spanish legislation now regards any physical contact made without consent as sexual violence.
The decision forms an important legal basis for similar incidents in the future.