France enshrines need for consent into rape law in wake of Gisèle Pelicot case
Summary
France has changed its rape law to include the requirement of consent. This change follows the Gisèle Pelicot case, where her husband drugged her, and other men raped her while she was unconscious. The new law clarifies that all sexual acts without consent are considered rape.Key Facts
- France has updated its rape law to require consent for defining rape.
- The change followed the Gisèle Pelicot case, where 50 men were found guilty of raping her.
- The previous law defined rape as involving violence, coercion, threat, or surprise.
- The new law states consent must be free, informed, specific, prior, and revocable.
- Silence or lack of reaction cannot be taken as consent under the new law.
- France’s highest administrative court supports the new consent law.
- The new law passed with 327 votes in favor and 15 abstentions in the French Senate.
- Consent-based rape laws are also present in other European countries like Sweden, Germany, and Spain.
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