France adopts consent-based rape law in the wake of landmark Gisèle Pelicot case
The law mandates consent be freely given, specific, and revocable, shifting the burden to offenders to prove consent, following a trial convicting 51 men in a high-profile case.
- French lawmakers adopted a bill on October 29 that defines rape as any non-consensual sexual act, marking a shift towards consent-based laws in Europe.
- The new law enshrines the principle of consent, stating that it must be free, informed, specific, prior, and revocable, as highlighted by centrist lawmaker Véronique Riotton.
- This legislation follows the Gisèle Pelicot case, prompting debate about consent, with advocacy groups stressing the need for societal change alongside legal reforms.
- Supporters state the reform shifts the burden of proof onto offenders, while opponents express concerns about subjectivity in the definition of consent.
94 Articles
94 Articles
In France, after the National Assembly, the Senate also approved a fundamental change in sexual criminal law.
"Any unconscious sexual act" will be considered rape in France in the future. The amendment to the law is also a reaction to the Pelicot trial.
France has enacted an explicit consent to sexual acts.The French Senate approved a corresponding law on the evening ... The post France classifies sex without express consent as an assault on an appeared first on Apollo News.
French lawmakers passed a bill that defines rape as any non-consensual sexual act.
In France, the new law will be "only yes means yes": sex without explicit consent will now be considered rape. The debate surrounding the law was shaped by the Pelicot rape trial.
France: ‘Historic victory’ as French law adopts consent-based definition of rape
Reacting to a vote by the French Senate to introduce a consent-based definition of rape in the penal code, Lola Schulmann, Gender Justice Advocacy Officer at Amnesty International France, said: “The adoption of this law is a historic step forward. It is a long-awaited victory for victims of rape and the culmination of years of tireless campaigning by activists, feminist organizations and survivors of sexual violence. “Amending the penal code w…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 43% of the sources lean Left
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium


























