French Justice Minister Proposes Tougher Measures Against Gender-Based Violence

Gérald Darmanin unveils amendments to strengthen penalties, expand legal definitions, and streamline procedures for addressing violence against women.

Gérald Darmanin announced four proposed amendments to a transpartisan bill aimed at combating violence against women, set for review in the French National Assembly.
Key measures include increasing pre-trial detention for aggravated sexual violence cases from 48 to 72 hours and raising maximum prison sentences for serial rape from 20 to 30 years.
New aggravating circumstances would be introduced for rapes committed at the victim's home or those involving premeditated actions such as ambushes.
The amendments propose incorporating 'non-consent' into the legal definition of rape to better address cases involving victim prostration or shock.
Plans to expand plea-bargaining in criminal cases are also included, allowing offenders to admit guilt and accept a sentence proposed by prosecutors in the presence of victims.