France puts consent at the centre of its sexual-violence law

France’s parliament approved a reform explicitly incorporating consent into the legal definition of rape on 29 October 2025. Reuters reported that the Gisèle Pelicot trial had given the change renewed impetus.

Consent is more than silence

The reform required consent to be freely given and informed, and capable of being withdrawn. It could not be inferred simply from silence or an absence of resistance. The French government’s explanation sets out the approach and its place within the criminal law.

The parliamentary vote and the completed law have different dates. The Senate’s legislative record confirms promulgation on 6 November 2025 and publication in the official journal on 7 November. This article’s archive date marks the parliamentary approval reported by Reuters.

Clarity alongside practical support

For WDWK, making consent explicit is an important statement about personal autonomy. A change in wording is one part of a wider response: people also need institutions that listen, appropriate support and a fair process. Those are our editorial priorities, rather than a claim that the reform alone has delivered particular prosecution outcomes.

We have kept this account focused on the reform and its documented timeline. The linked primary records explain the legislation; they do not substitute for advice on an individual case.