Spain's 'La Manada' case hits 10‑year mark, spurs legal reforms

In July 2016, five men assaulted an 18‑year‑old woman during the San Fermín festivals in Pamplona. The perpetrators, calling themselves “La Manada,” were later sentenced by the Supreme Court to up to 15 years for rape after earlier courts had classified the acts as abuse.

The case triggered massive nationwide protests under the slogan “Yo sí te creo,” prompting a shift in Spanish law toward the “solo sí es sí” (only yes is yes) framework, which redefined consent and eliminated the legal distinction between abuse and rape. Subsequent applications of the law have led to sentence reductions for some of the convicted men, while all remain in prison with varying degrees of release permissions.

Beyond the courtroom, the incident reshaped public discourse on sexual violence in Spain, increased reporting of such crimes, and sparked ongoing debates about prevention, education, and the effectiveness of the new legislation.