After the Pelicot trial Only yes means yes - France redefines rape
Only yes means yes: the National Assembly in France has voted in favor of a bill to redefine rape. This also follows the trial in the Pelicot case.
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- In France, a new definition of rape based on the principle that only yes means yes could soon be enshrined in law.
- The French National Assembly has approved a bill to this effect.
- The law, which was passed after an emotional debate, is also a consequence of the Pelicot trial in Avignon.
The law could soon apply in France: Only yes means yes. The National Assembly has voted in favor of redefining rape as a sexual act without the consent of the victim.
The bill states that consent cannot be inferred from "silence or lack of reaction". It must be "free and informed, specific, prior and revocable" and assessed in light of the circumstances.
Consequence of the Avignon trial
The law is also a consequence of the sensational Avignon rape trial. Numerous defendants had stated that they had not had the impression that they had raped the victim Gisèle Pelicot because, in their opinion, she had pretended to be asleep.
In fact, however, she had been drugged by her husband, who then offered her to internet acquaintances for rape. The trial ended with prison sentences for all 51 defendants.
Very emotional speeches
After several very emotional speeches by parliamentarians, the National Assembly passed the bill, which was the result of a compromise with the Senate, by 155 votes to 31. Only the members of the far right voted against it.
The Senate still has to give its approval next Wednesday for the bill to be finally passed. The upper house of the French parliament is expected to approve the bill.
Similar principle in other countries
MP Véronique Riotton, who co-initiated the bill, said that the text sends out "a signal". "Together, we are moving from a culture of rape to a culture of consent."
If the Senate approves the bill next week, France will follow the example of other European countries in defining rape. Norway, Denmark, Greece and Spain, among others, already define rape according to the principle "only yes means yes".
