France to set age of consent at 15 following rape outcry

High-profile cases involving 11-year-old girls trigger rethink of sexual assault laws

french_protest.jpg
Activists hold a banner during a demonstration by feminist groups in Paris
(Image credit: LIONEL BONAVENTURE/AFP/Getty Images)

France is to change its laws so that sex with anyone under the age of 15 is automatically treated as rape, following a recent public outcry over two cases involving 11-year-old girls.

Announcing the plan yesterday, the country’s Equality Minister Marlene Schiappa said the government had decided to introduce a minimum age of consent at the recommendation of a panel of experts and after public consultations.

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