France becomes latest European nation to define rape by lack of consent, requiring “free, informed, specific, prior and revocable” agreement
PARIS: French lawmakers have adopted a bill defining rape as any non-consensual sexual act.
The country becomes the latest European nation to pass a consent-based rape law through this legislative action.
France’s penal code will now enshrine the principle of consent into the legal definition of rape.
The Senate backed this measure in the final vote of a lengthy legislative process.
Centrist lawmaker Veronique Riotton described the text as signalling a move from a culture of rape to a culture of consent.
The bill states that consent must be free and informed, specific, prior and revocable.
Consent must be evaluated according to circumstances and cannot be inferred from silence or lack of reaction.
The law explicitly states there is no consent if sexual acts occur through violence, coercion, threat or surprise.
Advocacy groups have welcomed this reform while stressing the need for deeper societal change.
Amnesty International France’s Lola Schulmann called this a historic step forward following other European countries.
She emphasized that this represents only one step toward ending impunity for gender-based violence.
Women’s rights group CIDFF called for improved sex education and training for justice officials alongside the reform.
They also advocated for increased resources for support groups to complement the legal change.
Consent-based rape laws already exist in several other European countries including Germany and Spain.
The legislative change follows the case of Gisele Pelicot which reignited national debate over consent.
Her ex-husband was convicted of drugging her and inviting strangers to rape her during their marriage.
Only far-right lawmakers opposed the bill in the lower house of parliament.
National Rally lawmaker Sophie Blanc criticized the consent definition as subjective and difficult to grasp.
She argued the change would focus on victim actions rather than perpetrator violence.
Supporters counter that the reform shifts the burden onto offenders to prove consent existed.
Green lawmaker Marie-Charlotte Garin stated that when it is not no, it does not mean yes.
She emphasized that giving in will never again be considered consent under the new law. – AFP
