France enacts historic consent-based reform in sexual assault and rape laws
France has passed a landmark reform introducing a consent-based definition of rape, aiming to improve prosecution and promote a culture of consent.
- • France legally defines sexual assault based on explicit consent requirements.
- • The reform was influenced by the Gisele Pelicot case and Mazan rape trials.
- • The French Senate approved the reform following the National Assembly vote on October 23, 2025.
- • The law aligns France with sixteen EU states and others recognizing consent-based rape definitions.
Key details
France has officially amended its sexual assault and rape laws to include a clear, consent-based definition of sexual violence, marking a landmark reform in the country's legal treatment of these crimes. The new legislation explicitly defines sexual assault as any sexual act performed without "free and informed, specific, prior and revocable" consent, a significant shift from prior definitions that focused primarily on violence or coercion.
This legal transformation was influenced by high-profile cases such as that of Gisele Pelicot, whose testimony about being drugged and raped by her husband, along with other perpetrators, played a pivotal role in advocating for change. Now, any non-consensual sexual act is classified as rape or sexual assault under French law. This reform seeks to enhance how courts address sexual violence, improving prosecution and fostering a culture centered on consent.
The French Senate approved the reform after the National Assembly's vote on October 23, 2025, with supporters including feminist organizations and survivors praising it as a "historic victory." Lola Schulmann from Amnesty International France described the change as a crucial advancement for victims and emphasized that recognizing non-consensual sex as rape aligns with international human rights standards, such as those established by the Istanbul Convention. Currently, sixteen EU member states and several non-EU countries have consent-based rape definitions, placing France in this progressive group.
While the law marks significant progress, debate continues regarding its sufficiency. Some lawmakers argue it does not fully address the root causes of sexual violence and call for increased funding and an intersectional approach to fight rape culture effectively. The Council of State has underscored that the legislation reinforces personal and sexual freedom, and it is expected to improve training for legal professionals and raise public awareness about the importance of consent.
This reform arrives nearly a year after the Mazan rape trials, which also contributed to the discourse on establishing a "culture of consent" in France. With approximately 230,000 acts of sexual violence occurring annually yet few resulting in conviction, the law aims to empower victims and the justice system alike to confront sexual violence with a clear legal framework based on consent.