Paris: French lawmakers on Wednesday approved a bill that defines rape as any sexual act carried out without consent, making France the latest European nation to adopt a consent-based rape law.

The new legislation amends the penal code to include the principle of consent within the legal definition of rape. The Senate’s approval marked the final step in a long legislative process.

Centrist lawmaker Veronique Riotton, who co-sponsored the bill, said the reform signals a major cultural shift. The text, she noted, represents a move “from a culture of rape to a culture of consent.”

What does the new law say?

According to the bill, consent must be “free and informed, specific, prior and revocable,” and assessed based on the circumstances. It clearly states that consent cannot be assumed from “silence or lack of reaction.”

“There is no consent if the sexual act is committed through violence, coercion, threat or surprise, whatever their nature,” the text adds.

How have advocacy groups reacted?

Human rights and women’s groups have largely welcomed the reform while urging further measures to ensure its effectiveness.

Lola Schulmann, advocacy officer at Amnesty International France, described the law as “a historic step forward, following in the footsteps of several other European countries.”

However, she warned that it is “only one step, because we know that there is still a long way to go to end impunity for gender-based and sexual violence.”

Women’s rights organisation CIDFF called for the new law to be supported with comprehensive sex education, training for justice and police officials, and greater funding for support services.

Several other European nations, including Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, and Sweden, have already introduced consent-based rape laws.

What sparked the debate?

The bill follows renewed debate over sexual consent in France, reignited by the case of Gisele Pelicot. Her former husband was convicted of drugging her and allowing dozens of strangers to rape her during their marriage.

What are the points of contention?

While the majority of lawmakers backed the bill, far-right members opposed it. They criticised the redefinition of consent as “subjective, shifting and difficult to grasp.”

National Rally lawmaker Sophie Blanc argued that the reform could shift attention “from the violence of the perpetrator” to the victim’s behaviour.

However, supporters of the change said the new definition strengthens protections for victims and places greater responsibility on offenders to prove there was consent.

“When it’s not no, it doesn’t mean yes,” said Green lawmaker Marie-Charlotte Garin, who co-sponsored the bill. “When it’s yes, it must be a real yes... giving in will never again be consent.”

AFP inputs