In France, men likely to face instant fines for cat-calling

Paris, Oct. 16: A new law banning cat-calling and harassment of women on French streets will see men fined on the spot for lecherous and aggressive behaviour, France’s gender equality minister said on Monday.

The legislation is being piloted by 34-year-old Marlene Schiappa, a feminist and early supporter of French President Emmanuel Macron, who wants to tackle sexist male attitudes in public spaces.

“It’s completely necessary because at the moment street harassment is not defined in the law,” she told RTL radio

The legislation is being piloted by Marlene Schiappa, France’s gender equality minister, who wants to tackle sexist male attitudes in public spaces

on Monday in an interview to outline the law, which is to be voted on next year.

The scandal over Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein’s alleged sexual assaults has rekindled debate on sexual harassment and predation in France.

Asked about the difficulty of drawing a line between harassment and flirtation, Ms Schiappa replied: “We know very well at what point we start feeling intimidated, unsafe or harassed in the street.”

A cross-party taskforce composed of five MPs has been asked to work with the police and magistrates to come up with a definition of harassment that can be enforced by officers in the street.

“The level of the fine is part of our discussions,” Ms Schiappa said, adding that the neighbourhood police would act on complaints.