France enshrines need for consent into rape law in wake of Gisèle Pelicot case

**Summary:**France's rape law has been revised, making consent the central factor in defining sexual assault and rape. This change comes after years of debate, sparked by the Pelicot trial, where defendants argued they couldn't be guilty of rape as they didn't know the victim was unable to consent. The new law clearly states that consent must be free, informed, specific, prior, and can be withdrawn at any time. Despite some opposition, the bill has been approved, bringing France in line with other European countries that recognize consent as the main factor in sexual violence cases. The Daily News Now! — Every city. Every story. AI-powered. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.