France Calls for Clearer Rape Laws Following High-Profile Abuse Case

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A parliamentary report has urged France to update its rape laws to explicitly include a definition of consent, following the conviction of 51 men for the drugging and repeated rape of Gisèle Pelicot. The report highlights a pressing need to address the shortcomings in current legislation, which lacks a clear reference to consent. Advocates argue that a consent-based legal framework is essential to combat entrenched societal attitudes toward sexual violence.

The trial, which concluded in December 2023, revealed shocking details about Pelicot's abuse, carried out over a nine-year period. The report, set to be presented in parliament, acknowledges that existing stereotypes about "good victims" and "real rape" continue to affect how sexual assault cases are perceived and prosecuted in the country.

Parliamentarians Véronique Riotton and Marie-Charlotte Garin have been working since 2023 on recommendations to reform the law. Their proposed changes would retain the definition of rape as any non-consensual penetrative act while adding explicit mention of the need for consent.

The MPs emphasized that while legislative change is vital, it is not a panacea for the broader issues surrounding sexual violence in France, which still displays a "climate of impunity." They called for additional resources to support victims and combat rape culture.

This push for reform comes as Gisèle Pelicot's family continues to raise awareness about drug-facilitated sexual violence. Her daughter, Caroline Darian, highlighted the need for better prevention and support for victims, revealing that many cases of drugging and assault go unreported.

The report reflects a growing consensus in France, including support from President Emmanuel Macron, for recognizing consent in the legal definition of rape, marking a potential turning point in the country’s approach to sexual violence.

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