The measure, hailed by rights groups as a historic step toward gender equality, makes France the latest European nation to adopt a consent-based law.

The measure, hailed by rights groups as a historic step toward gender equality, makes France the latest European nation to adopt a consent-based law.

A historic move to change French criminal law would bring its legislation in line with many other European countries

France changed its rape and sexual assault laws to include that a lack of consent, ending a battle that women's rights activists have fought for years.