France Advances Consent-Based Definition of Rape with Landmark Law
France's new consent-based rape law redefines sexual assault, prompted by a high-profile case and aiming for cultural and legal transformation.
- • France redefined rape to be any sexual act without freely given consent.
- • The law passed with overwhelming parliamentary support but faced far-right opposition.
- • The case of Gisèle Pelicot triggered the legal change and feminist mobilization.
- • Experts call for broader sexual education and systemic support for survivors beyond the law.
Key details
On October 30, 2025, France's Parliament passed a landmark law that redefines rape as any sexual act committed without consent, signaling a profound shift in the country's legal framework and societal approach to sexual violence. The law passed overwhelmingly in the Senate with a vote of 327-0 and 15 abstentions, reflecting broad political support despite opposition from far-right lawmakers who criticized the new consent criteria as subjective.
This new legislation requires that consent be "freely given, informed, specific, prior, and revocable," explicitly stating that silence or lack of resistance cannot be interpreted as consent. Consequently, any sexual act lacking such consent is now classified as sexual assault, removing the prior necessity to prove violence, threat, coercion, or surprise.
The reform was largely driven by the high-profile case of Gisèle Pelicot, who was repeatedly raped by her ex-husband and others, resulting in widespread feminist mobilization and fifty-one convictions. Lawmaker Veronique Riotton described the law as a critical step toward dismantling France's culture of rape. Advocacy groups such as Amnesty International hailed the law as historic but stressed the continued need to tackle persistent gender-based violence and societal attitudes.
Experts emphasize that legal redefinition alone is insufficient. There is a pressing requirement for comprehensive sex education and cultural transformation to foster true respect for sexual autonomy, particularly for women and girls. The justice system's current shortcomings are stark; data from 2012 to 2021 indicates that 94% of rape complaints and 86% of sexual violence complaints were dismissed, revealing a significant gap in support for survivors. Strengthening both healthcare and legal support services is regarded as vital for meaningful progress.
In summary, while the new consent-based rape law puts France in alignment with other European countries like Denmark, Finland, and Spain, it is part of broader efforts necessary to eradicate sexual violence, improve survivor support, and promote a culture based on informed and voluntary consent.