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France's Senate Passes Landmark Consent Bill on Rape

10/30/2025

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Summary

Story summary

France's Senate approved a bill defining rape and sexual assault as any non-consensual sexual act, with a 327-0 vote.
The bill requires consent to be freely given, informed, specific, prior and revocable, and states that silence does not imply consent.
The Gisèle Pelicot trial highlighted pornography and attitudes toward consent as factors in rape culture, and the bill aligns France with other European nations that have consent-based laws.

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Story summary

France's Senate approved a bill defining rape and sexual assault as any non-consensual sexual act, with a 327-0 vote.
The bill requires consent to be freely given, informed, specific, prior and revocable, and states that silence does not imply consent.
The Gisèle Pelicot trial highlighted pornography and attitudes toward consent as factors in rape culture, and the bill aligns France with other European nations that have consent-based laws.