French Lawmakers Propose Adding Non-Consent to Legal Definition of Rape

A new parliamentary report advocates redefining rape in French law to emphasize the absence of consent, aiming to strengthen protections for victims and align with international standards.

• The report, authored by MPs Véronique Riotton and Marie-Charlotte Garin, recommends incorporating 'non-consent' into the legal definition of rape while retaining existing criteria like violence and coercion.
• The proposed changes aim to address cases involving victim vulnerability, coercive control, or states of shock, which are not explicitly covered under current law.
• The reform seeks to align French law with the Istanbul Convention, which mandates clear definitions of consent in sexual violence cases.
• Critics within feminist and legal circles express concerns about potential misuse of the consent standard, fearing it could shift scrutiny onto victims' behavior.
• Supporters argue the change would combat a culture of impunity, improve judicial tools for addressing sexual violence, and send a strong societal message about consent and victim protection.

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