France is poised to take a monumental step in its fight against sexual violence as the Senate prepares to give its final approval to a landmark bill on Wednesday. The legislation redefines rape and sexual assault as any non-consensual sexual act, marking a significant shift in the country’s legal framework. This move follows the harrowing trial of Gisèle Pelicot, whose case exposed systemic issues in France’s approach to sexual violence and consent. The bill, introduced in January, gained momentum after 51 men were convicted of raping and abusing Pelicot over nearly a decade, sparking a national reckoning on rape culture. Lawmakers Marie-Charlotte Garin and Véronique Riotton, who spearheaded the initiative, emphasized the urgency of addressing sexual violence, stating, ‘It’s time to take action and take a new step forward.’ The legislation explicitly defines consent as ‘freely given, informed, specific, prior, and revocable,’ and clarifies that silence or lack of resistance does not imply consent. It also stipulates that any sexual act involving violence, coercion, threat, or surprise is non-consensual. The bill received overwhelming support in the National Assembly last week, with only the far-right opposing it. Once enacted, France will join other European nations like Germany, Belgium, and Spain in adopting consent-based rape laws. The Pelicot case, which revealed the role of pornography, online chatrooms, and misconceptions about consent in perpetuating rape culture, has made her a global symbol in the fight against sexual violence.
France expected to adopt consent-based rape law in the wake of landmark Gisèle Pelicot case
