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Redefining sexual harassment in France

A new definition of sexual harassment was presented to the French Senate on Wednesday. “It is the question of a person’s dignity” said Christiane Taubira, the justice minister.

Reuters/Philippe Wojazer
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The former law on sexual harassment was dismissed as being too vague on May 4, following a broadening of the definition in 2002. The original law had been in place since 1992. It was contested by George Tron, a former deputy mayor in the Rhone region, after he was sentenced last year to three months in prison and a 5,000 euro fine for sexually harassing three employees.

New French President François Hollande promised during his electoral campaign that he would commit to a new law on sexual harassment as soon as possible. Taubira noted the repeal had  "created a legal void that must be filled”.

She has based her work on the following three principles: “the need to define the punishment for this type of act” stressing that “the new law cannot be retroactive otherwise punishment will be more severe”. Secondly, “there must be particular attention paid to the victims” and thirdly, “ensuring that the text explicitly defines the offence, taking into account the motive” of the offender.

The Justice Minister added that the new definition of sexual harassment will cover situations in a more concrete manner that was often a problem with the previous law.

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