French National Assembly Enshrines Non-Consent in Legal Definition of Rape and Sexual Assault
The French National Assembly has passed a landmark law integrating non-consent into the legal definition of rape, marking a major advancement for victims' rights and consent culture.
- • The National Assembly voted 155 to 31 to include non-consent in the legal definition of rape and sexual assault.
- • The legislation aims to restore victim trust in justice and promote a culture of consent.
- • Consent is legally defined as free, informed, specific, prior, and revocable — silence no longer implies consent.
- • The law faces concerns about complexities in proving consent and trial impacts on victims.
- • The Senate will consider the law next week for final adoption.
Key details
On October 23, 2025, the French National Assembly took a landmark step by voting overwhelmingly to integrate non-consent explicitly into the legal definition of rape and sexual assault. The legislation passed with 155 votes in favor and 31 against, with nearly all parliamentary groups supporting the measure except the far-right, which opposed it on grounds of moral and legal overreach.
This legal reform is the culmination of years of feminist activism and aims to foster a culture of consent while helping victims regain trust in the justice system. The law clarifies that rape and sexual assault constitute any sexual acts committed without free, informed, specific, prior, and revocable consent, which cannot be assumed from silence or lack of resistance. As Marie-Charlotte Garin, co-reporter of the text, highlighted, the hope is that this transpartisan consensus will shift societal attitudes meaningfully.
Sexual violence remains one of the most underreported crimes in France, with eight out of ten victims not filing complaints and a notably low conviction rate of just 1%. Minister for Equality Aurore Bergé emphasized the critical shift this law represents: the focus is no longer on the aggressor’s beliefs but firmly on the victim’s explicit desires.
Despite the broad support, there are concerns about the complexities of proving consent and the possibility that legal proceedings could disproportionately scrutinize victims’ behavior. Nevertheless, the legislation is seen as a pivotal advancement for women’s rights in France. The text now heads to the Senate, where it is expected to be definitively adopted next week, paving the way for a broader strategy against sexual and domestic violence in the future.