France: New sexual violence law tackles wolf-whistling, upskirting and child rape

MPs voted in favour of the law on Wednesday night with 92 in favour and none against, though left-wing lawmakers abstained because they felt the law did not go far enough.

It provides for on-the-spot fines of up to €750 (£660) for harassment, including wolf-whistling, on the street or on public transport, and fines of up to €15,000 (£13,350) or up to a year in jail for upskirting.

The legislation also strengthens France’s laws on child rape by allowing judges to classify sex with a minor as rape if it resulted from an “abuse of vulnerability”.

The Conseil d’Etat, France’s highest legal authority, previously advised that a proposal to class all sex with minors (under-15s) as rape would be unconstitutional.

It also extends the statute of limitations for child sex crimes to 30 years after the alleged victim turns 18, instead of 20 years.

Marlene Schiappa, the junior minister for gender equality, said the new law would come into effect in September.