The French National Assembly yesterday passed a bill defining rape as any sexual act without explicit consent, paving the way for its approval by the Senate next week so it can become law, according to France24. The move follows renewed debate over consent in France over the past year, sparked by the Gisele Pelicot case.
Countries such as Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, and Sweden already have similar legal definitions of rape.
The bill states that consent must be given in advance, freely, clearly, and specifically, and that it can also be withdrawn. Lack of reaction or silence does not constitute consent. Countries such as Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, and Sweden already have similar legal definitions of rape.
Experts note that 70% of rape victims experience “freezing,” leaving them unable to resist — a fact that is often used against them in court. Under the new bill, the burden of proving consent will fall on the perpetrators rather than the victims, according to its supporters. However, some feminist groups consider the amendment a “trap,” arguing that it could ultimately shift the focus of investigations back onto the victim’s behavior rather than the perpetrator’s actions.
Source: France24
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