A historic move to change French criminal law would bring its legislation in line with many other European countries
The French parliament has voted to add consent to the country’s rape law in a historic move sparked by the mass rape of Gisèle Pelicot.
The change, which will still need to be signed off by President Emmanuel Macron, will bring French legislation in line with many other European countries.
French criminal law currently defines rape as any kind of sexual penetration committed using “violence, coercion, threat or surprise”. It does not specifically mention consent.
But after the change the criminal code will define rape or sexual assault as “any non-consensual act”. It states consent must be “informed, specific, prior and revocable” and “cannot be inferred solely from the silence or lack of reaction of the victim”.
