Summary
France's National Assembly approved a bill to clarify that marriage does not mean a duty to have sex. The bill adds a law stating that being married doesn't create an obligation for sexual relations. This change aims to prevent the idea of "conjugal rights" and may help deter marital rape.
Key Facts
- France's National Assembly approved a bill removing the idea of a sexual obligation in marriage.
- The new law specifies that "community of living" does not include a duty for sexual relations.
- The change makes it impossible to use lack of sexual relations as a reason in fault-based divorce.
- This law intends to stop the notion of "conjugal rights" in marriages.
- The bill aims to help prevent marital rape and promote consent.
- France's civil code now states that silence or no reaction does not mean consent in sexual activities.
- The bill was partly inspired by past cases where refusal of sex was used as a divorce argument.
- The change clarifies existing legal practice after a decision by the European Court of Human Rights.
