France Has Passed A "Only Yes Means Yes" Law That Clearly Defines Rape As Sex Without Consent

France has passed a “only yes means yes” law that clearly defines rape as sex without consent.

Previously, rape in France had been defined mainly by the presence of violence, coercion, threats or surprise.

Now, according to the new law the parliament passed on Wednesday, Oct. 29, all sexual acts without consent constitute rape.

The law says that "silence or lack of reaction” is not considered consent and that consent must be "free and informed, specific, prior, revocable" and evaluated according to the circumstances.

The move was sparked by the case of Gisèle Pélicot, who was drugged by her husband and raped at least 92 times by 72 men between 2011 and 2020 without her knowledge.

During the trial, some of the men argued they were not guilty of rape because they hadn't used violence or threats to force Pélicot, who was unconscious, claiming they believed it was consensual.

This makes France the latest European country to adopt a law that recognizes non-consensual sex as rape.

Rights groups have hailed the landmark step, but stressed that it must be accompanied by deeper societal change “to end impunity for gender-based and sexual violence.”

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