The Swiss Federal Court has clarified its stance on the consideration of the duration of a sexual assault in sentencing.

In a recent ruling, the court rejected the appeal of a 51-year-old man who argued for a reduced sentence due to the brief duration of his crime.

This decision overturns a previous controversial ruling that suggested shorter assaults could lead to lighter sentences.

The court emphasized that the duration of an assault should not benefit the perpetrator in sentencing, although it could indicate increased criminal intent if prolonged.

This clarification comes after public outcry over a past case where the duration was considered in sentencing, leading to calls for legal reform.

The court's latest decision underscores that any sexual assault, regardless of duration, constitutes a severe violation from the outset.