French ministers have unveiled plans for a new law that would make sexual harassment, inappropriate advances and other ‘creepy’ behavior an immediate, and punishable offense.
The Government proposal comes in light of the Harvey Weinstein scandal and aims to end all forms of abuse on the streets of France – as well as teaching perpetrators a few things about personal space.
Gender Equality Minister, Marlene Schiappa, said she has been setting up workshops across the country to discuss the bill, which serves as a much-needed crackdown on misogynistic attitudes.
“At the moment, one can’t file a lawsuit for street harassment,”“When someone breaks into your space, talks to you within 10 or 20 centimetres of your face, follows you for three, four, five or six streets, or asks for your telephone number about 17 times.” she told French radio RTL:
Asked about Weinstein and the influx of Tweets from Frenchwomen recounting similar experiences at work, Schiappa said she was stunned, but insisted the blame had been misdirected.
“It’s not women who don’t speak, but a society which does not listen to them”
Emmanuel MacronVerified account @EmmanuelMacronJ’ai engagé les démarches pour retirer la légion d’honneur à Harvey Weinstein.
Translation:
“I have taken steps to withdraw the Legion of Honor from Harvey Weinstein.”
The bill, which parliament will vote on, also includes plans to extend the “statute of limitations” in cases of rape against minors to 30 years (up from the current 20-year limit after a victim turns 18).
It is understood the proposal is in part derived from recommendations by TV host Flavie Flament – who last year accused British photographer David Hamilton of raping her when she was 13.
But she was unable to file a lawsuit because her statute of limitations had expired ten years prior.
Another provision aims to introduce an age which minors cannot consent to sex, as only children under five are regarded as non-consenting under current French case laws.
Schiappa, who hopes to address the issue with excessive fines and education, said she has full support from President Emmanuel Macron, who’s been urging women victims of harassment to speak out
Source: konbini.com
photo credit: huffingtonpost.com
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