France toughens law on sex with minors under age 15 | DW | 15.04.2021

Better late than never: France tightening up its previously liberal laws allowing sex with children.

(04 2021 article) Under this new legislation, sex with children below the age of 15 will be punishable by up to 20 years in jail, unless the age gap between the partners is small. The legislation comes after a flurry of sexual abuse and incest allegations rocked the nation, in what has been called France's second #MeToo movement. "This is a historic law for our children and our society,’ Justice Minister Eric Dupond-Moretti told the National Assembly. ‘No adult aggressor will be able to claim the consent of a minor younger than 15-years-old.”

A so-called "Romeo and Juliet" clause will allow for the possibility of consensual sexual relations between a minor and a partner who is up to five years older. However, that clause will not apply to cases of sexual assault. The law also characterizes incestuous sex with anyone under the age of 18 as rape.

France began introducing stricter sex crime laws in 2018 when it criminalized sexual harassment on the streets.