France - October 2025

On 29 October, Parliament passed an amendment to the penal code, adding consent to the legal definition of rape and sexual assault. While previously the definition was limited to the use of violence, coercion, threat or surprise, it now extends to all sexual acts performed without ‘free, and informed, specific, prior and revocable’ consent. The debate over the necessity of the reform was reignited following the December 2024 trial connected to the Gisèle Pelicot case, who was the victim of serial rape while drugged by her now ex-husband. The law specifies that consent must be evaluated according to the circumstances and cannot be inferred from ‘silence or lack of reaction’ of the victim. The legislation was introduced by MPs from the Green and Renaissance parties in January 2025, following a parliamentary fact-finding mission, and was promulgated by President Emmanuel Macron on 6 November. 

Sources: BBC, Le Monde, DW, Vie Publique, Ministry Responsible for Equality between Women and Men and the Fight Against Discrimination, French Government