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France to set legal age of sexual consent as 15
France plans to fix the legal age of sexual consent as 15, meaning sex with someone younger than that would be considered rape.
Equality Minister Marlène Schiappa welcomed the move, which follows advice from doctors and legal experts. Currently, prosecutors must prove sex with someone under 15 was forced in order to bring rape charges. The change comes amid uproar over two recent cases of men accused of having sex with 11-year-old girls.
Under the existing legislation, if there is no violence or coercion proved, offenders may only be charged with sexual abuse of a minor and not rape. This has a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a fine of €75,000 (£66,000; $87,000).
[...] The government is to approve the new age limit as part of a package of other laws against sexual violence and harassment in the coming weeks. It had been discussing whether to set the age as 13 or 15, which is what groups fighting violence against children had campaigned for.
Les commentaires déplorables.
Also at The Local, NPR, and SBS.
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(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday March 08 2018, @05:53AM (2 children)
It wouldn't be. You simply investigate each case individually to determine if an actual rape took place, rather than lazily declaring that anyone under age X cannot consent. You know, the same thing we do when someone is accused of raping an adult: Investigation. But that's too nuanced for our ridiculous society.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday March 08 2018, @09:22AM (1 child)
Because a 55 year old guy having sex with a 5 year old girl just might be consentual...
You live in either a very beautiful or very ugly world.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday March 08 2018, @07:28PM
And why is that the first example that pops into your head, rather than something more reasonable? The problem with these arbitrary ages is that there are nearly always exceptions, and just like we say that it's better for countless criminals to get away than for one innocent person to be convicted, I'd say it's better to err on the side of freedom here is well. But because The Children are involved, few can think rationally.