France to FINALLY introduce proper age of consent laws after years of lawyers having to prove kids didn’t want sex with paedos
Under current laws offenders may only be charged with sexual abuse of a minor, and not rape, if no violence can be proved
FRENCH paedos who have sex with kids aged under 15 will be charged with rape as the country finally cracks down on depraved sex attackers.
Emmanuel Macron’s government has decided to fix the age of consent at 15 after two cases involving 11-year-old girls provoked outrage.
France’s current laws means that offenders may only be charged with sexual abuse of a minor, and not rape, if no violence can be proved.
Sexual abuse of a minor has a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a fine of €75,000.
In November, a 30-year-old man was acquitted of raping a little girl, 11, in 2009 after a criminal court ruled there was no evidence of “threat or violence”.
A similar case in September was reported when a 28-year-old man was acquitted of sexual relations with a minor when prosecutors said there had been “no violence, no constraint, no threat, and no surprise”.
However, the court in the September case reversed its ruling last month insisting the adult should face rape charges.
The French government is set to approve a package of new laws aimed at curbing sexual violence and harassment in the coming weeks.
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Officials had been discussing whether to set the age of consent to 13 or 15 and ultimately sided with child welfare groups.
France’s Equality Minister Marlène Schiappa welcomed the decision after consultations with the public and an expert panel.
She said she was "very glad" that the government had chosen the higher age a decision which is reportedly supported by President Macron.
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