France toughens sex consent laws

FRANCE is to toughen its laws on sexual consent, meaning sex with someone younger than 15 would now automatically be treated as rape.

Equality minister Marlene Schiappa announced the move following public outcry over two separate cases involving 11-year-old girls. The men involved escaped rape charges.

Currently, although the age of consent outlaws sex with someone under 15, the authorities must prove it was forced in order to bring rape charges.