Having sex with under-15s now classed as rape in France

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 11year-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. Convictions for sex with a minor carry much lower sentences.

The Macron government had been discussing whether to set the age at 15 or, as some groups had campaigned for, 13. Miss Schiappa said she was ‘very glad’ that the government had chosen the higher figure, as recommended by a panel of doctors and legal experts.

The new law, part of a package aimed at curbing sexual violence and sexism, will be presented to parliament for approval within weeks.

In England and Wales, the age of consent is 16. However, sex is only automatically considered to be rape if a child is under the age of 13.