Historical eventSeptember 232016

Rape in Germany

Following a number of high-profile sexual assaults, major reforms were enacted to strengthen laws related to rape in Germany.

10th anniversary in 2026

In context

When
Friday, September 23 201610 years ago
Category
Historical eventA dated happening — a battle, treaty, launch, discovery, disaster or decision — recorded on this calendar day.
Era
21st century · 2010s
Anniversary
10th in 2026
Recorded from
Wikipedia “On this day” feed

At a glance

Dates: From 2016.

What happened

In Germany, rape is defined by Section 177 of the country's criminal code, Strafgesetzbuch. The definition of rape has changed over time from its original formulation in the penal code established in 1871, as extramarital intercourse with a woman by force or the threat of violence. In 1997, laws were amended to criminalize marital rape, incorporate gender-neutral language, and recognize the effect of psychological coercion. In 2016,

September 23 through the years

Other entries on the same calendar day, in order.

  1. 2002Firefox
  2. 2004Haiti
  3. 2008Kauhajoki school shooting
  4. 2010Teresa Lewis
  5. 2013Typhoon Usagi (2013)
  6. 2016Rape in Germany
  7. 20192019 Papua protests
  8. 2019Thomas Cook Group
  9. 2020Grand jury
  10. 2022Election
  11. 2024Israel

Also in 2016

  • May 1111 May 2016 Baghdad bombingsOne hundred and ten people are killed in an ISIL bombing in Baghdad.
  • September 9North KoreaThe government of North Korea conducts its fifth and reportedly biggest nuclear test. World leaders condemn the act, with South Korea cal…
  • September 172016 New York and New Jersey bombingsTwo bombs explode in Seaside Park, New Jersey, and Manhattan. Thirty-one people are injured in the Manhattan bombing.
  • September 182016 Uri attackThe 2016 Uri attack in Jammu and Kashmir, India by terrorist group Jaish-e-Mohammed results in the deaths of nineteen Indian Army soldier…
  • July 13Prime Minister of the United KingdomPrime Minister of the United Kingdom David Cameron resigns, and is succeeded by Theresa May.
  • January 3Nimr al-NimrIn response to the execution of Nimr al-Nimr, Iran ends its diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia.
  • September 3ChinaThe U.S. and China, together responsible for 40% of the world's carbon emissions, both formally ratify the Paris global climate agreement.
  • July 5Juno (spacecraft)The Juno space probe arrives at Jupiter and begins a 20-month survey of the planet.

Everything we record for 2016 →

Sources

Cite this page

“Rape in Germany”, What's On This Date, https://whatsonthisdate.com/app/event/rape-in-germany-2016-september-23, accessed October 24, 2026.

Cite the underlying source as well — the source links above go to the record this entry is adapted from.

Questions about this entry

When did Rape in Germany happen?

September 23 2016 — 10 years ago, on a Friday.

Where does this text come from?

Wikipedia “On this day” feed. Summaries are short adaptations that link back to the source, not reprints.

How do I cite this page?

Use the ready-made citation near the sources at the bottom of the page, and follow the source link to cite the underlying record as well.

Text adapted from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0 and from Wikidata (CC0). Images come from Wikimedia Commons; credit and licence are shown with each image. Editorial entries are © What's On This Date. Sources & licensing · How this site works.