Justice Minister Éric Dupond-Moretti calls for caution on a criminal redefinition of rape. “French legislation is one of the most repressive in Europe,” he added.
A bill to this effect was notably tabled in the fall by environmentalist senator Mélanie Vogel. The debate in France echoes ongoing discussions in Brussels around a directive on the fight against violence against women. Several countries, including France and Germany, are opposed to a European definition of rape based on the absence of consent.