France mulls law changes to include consent as mass rape case shakes nation

Current French law makes no clear mention of the need for a partner’s consent and prosecutors must prove the intention to rape

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A woman holds a sign that reads “No more Gisele raped, no more women raped in France” and a white rose as a tribute to people who are victims of violence on the day of a silent march to support Gisele Pelicot, who has allegedly been drugged and raped by men solicited by her husband Dominique Pelicot at their home. Photo: Reuters

Published: 8:02pm, 23 Oct 2024Updated: 9:06pm, 23 Oct 2024

France may introduce changes to its rape law to include consent for the first time, after a mass rape trial shook the country, challenging the limits of existing legislation and prompting some leading politicians to call for change.

Dominique Pelicot has admitted to drugging his wife and recruiting dozens of men online to rape her while she was unconscious and 50 men are facing trial alongside him.

Despite video evidence against them, at least 35 of the defendants have denied the rape charges, claiming that Dominique Pelicot tricked them into believing they were taking part in a sex game, or that Gisele Pelicot was feigning sleep.

The case has prompted deep soul searching in France, with consent at the heart of the matter.

France’s new Justice Minister Didier Migaud recently said he is in favour of updating the law, as has President Emmanuel Macron, after France blocked the inclusion of a consent-based rape definition in a European directive in 2023.

“I believe it is beyond understanding for our fellow citizens to refuse to include consent in the definition of rape,” Migaud told lawmakers earlier this month.