Afrida Ahmed
Reports of rape, sexual assault and harassment have increased in France following the international scandal surrounding the sexual allegation against Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein.According to French Press, there has been 30 percent more complaints this year compared to last year. French Government has set a minimum legal age of 13 years for sexual consent for the first time. Justice Minister Nicole Belloubet said that any anyone less than 13 years would be considered for rape and the judges handling these cases should be able to decide whether someone was old enough to give consent in individual situations. French law defines rape as any act of sexual penetration committed on others by violence or threat.The definition does not differentiate between adults and minors for either the victims or perpetrators, although the potential criminal penalty is higher when victims are under 15.The French president, Emmanuel Macron, is expected to discuss the issue of sexual violence on 25 November (International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women).
Source: The Tribune, The Guardian and Daily Mail.