France changes controversial law – sexual intercourse with a child under 15 will be treated as rape

The French parliament on Wednesday adopted a law aimed at combating sexual relations with minors and ensured on-site penalties for street harassment, writes France 24.

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The law, which was passed by the National Assembly with 92 votes in favor and none against, expands the circumstances under which sexual intercourse with a child under 15 is categorized as rape.

Leftist representatives were abstained, stating that the law does not go far enough in combating sexism and caring for victims. The law has already passed in the Senate.

The law on the abuse of minors became relevant after this year’s case in which, as reported, prosecutors initially refused to charge a man with the rape of an 11-year-old girl because she consented to the sexual act.

He was initially charged with sexual abuse of a minor but was later placed under investigation for rape, reported public broadcaster FranceInfo.

The new law will allow judges to consider sexual intercourse with a child under 15 as rape if the other party abuses the child’s lack of necessary understanding to engage in the act.

Feminist groups have called for the establishment of a minimum age below which any sexual relation with a child would automatically be considered rape, but the government stated that an official legal analysis excluded that possibility.

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The law also provides for on-site penalties of at least 90 euros for sexual harassment on the street.

This issue has also made headlines due to a scandal this week captured on camera in Paris where a man hit a young woman who responded to him after he harassed her.