'La Republique en Marche' (LREM) parliamentary group president Christophe Castaner speaks during a press conference on the 'global security' draft law and the Article 24 which would restrict the right of the press to publish images of on-duty police, at the National Assembly in Paris, on November 30, 2020. - Christophe Castaner announced on November 30, 2020, the 'rewrite' of the controversial police bill's article 24. The controversy over the law and police violence is developing into another crisis for the government as the French president confronts the pandemic, its economic fallout and a host of problems on the international stage.

(Photo by Anne-Christine POUJOULAT / AFP) -

AFP

Rape, incest, "sextortion": the National Assembly must take a step on Thursday to strengthen the protection of minors in the face of sexual violence, a dossier brought to the forefront of the news by several high-profile cases.

A bill on this delicate subject must be examined at first reading in the hemicycle as part of a so-called "niche" day, reserved for the PS group.

The proliferation of cases and the free speech around these acts have led the executive to announce that it wants to “act”, even if the Schiappa law of 2018 has already strengthened the legislation.

Emmanuel Macron promised the victims "to adapt our law" and to leave "no respite for the aggressors". 

Strengthening penalties, the age of non-consent to 15 years - 18 for incest - and a broader definition of criminal acts constitute the main avenues of the government and the majority.

To get out of the twists and turns of a law that is not always clear or appropriate, the text on the agenda for Thursday provides for the creation of a special section within the Penal Code to regroup these abuses, entitled "crimes and sexual offenses against minors" .

The fact that an adult voluntarily commits on a minor under 15 years of age "an act of sexual penetration or any oral-genital act, of whatever nature", would be punished by twenty years' imprisonment.

A Senate porposition holds the rope

The crime qualified as incestuous would be punished by thirty years of imprisonment.

The judge could also decide to withdraw parental authority.

The proposal also intends to crack down on predators who encourage minors to engage in sexual practices on the Internet (“sextortion”).

A sign of clear political competition on this subject, the text presented by the socialist Isabelle Santiago was rewritten from top to bottom in committee last week, to integrate a subsequent proposal by LREM deputy Alexandra Louis.

The result of this hybridization is however considered questionable by some even within the majority.

And the leader of LREM deputies Christophe Castaner rather intends to rely on a bill from the Senate to ultimately legislate on the protection of minors.

This text was adopted unanimously at first reading by the upper house on January 21.

The LREM group put it on the menu for the Assembly on March 15.

"I want us to go quickly: before the summer, these new measures must come into force," says Christophe Castaner.

However, the senatorial proposal provides for an age limit of consent at 13 years old, an age which will be raised to 15 years as desired by the associations for the protection of children.

The Minister of Justice Eric Dupond-Moretti also wanted the threshold for non-consent to be set at 18 in the event of incest.

Whatever the legislative result, the subject promises to remain in the public debate.

Society

Eric Dupond-Moretti wants a threshold of non-consent at 18 for incest

Media

Audrey Pulvar discusses accusations against her father Marc Pulvar on France Inter

  • Minor

  • Christophe Castaner

  • National Assembly

  • Sexual violence

  • Incest