France’s parliament has redefined rape as any sexual act without consent, aligning the country with other European nations like Spain and Denmark. The reform follows public outrage over the Gisèle Pelicot case, which exposed deep flaws in protecting survivors.
Human rights advocates hailed the law as historic but urged broader reforms, including better sexuality education, survivor-centered justice, and stable funding for support services — to truly end rape culture and ensure consent is universally respected.
Compiled From: Macarena Sáez and Elvire Fondacci, “France Redefines Rape in Landmark Law”, Human Rights Watch, Oct. 30, 2025.