HarcElement The article adopted by the National Assembly aims to make “aggravated” sexist outrage a crime, with a fine of 3,750 euros
A stand against street harassment and sexual assault at the Bayonne Festival, July 27, 2017 (illustration) . — IROZ GAIZKA/AFP
The National Assembly wants to fight more firmly against sexist insults. The deputies voted for this. Wednesday in favor of tougher repression and the possibility of to lodge complaints by videoconference for certain offences, during the examination of the orientation and programming law of the Ministry of the Interior.
During a session that ended shortly before midnight in a tense atmosphere after exchanges of invective, the deputies adopted the to a large majority (170 votes for, 28 against) an article strengthening the repression of the offense of “aggravated” sexist contempt. The article aims to make it an offence, with a fine that would increase from 1,500 euros currently to 3,750 euros.
Aggravated facts in public transport
The sexist outrage, established recently to deal in particular with “street harassment”, designates the fact of imposing on a person “a statement or behavior to sexual or sexist connotation,” his dignity or creating an “intimidating, hostile or offensive” situation. It is considered as “Aggravated” in certain cases, for example when it is committed in public transport.
Identical opposition amendments were passed. passed, with government endorsement, to expand aggravated sexist outrage; to all minors, and no longer just those under 15. Others, who demanded that sexist insults not be subject to “fixed tort fines” to lower amounts, have been rejected. The LFI group also voted; against the measure, deploring a method only “repressive” and believing that it was necessary to “s’ the cause and not to the consequence”.
Earlier in the day, the Assembly overwhelmingly voted to in favor of a possible filing of a complaint by videoconference for certain offences, by 155 votes to 2. In the hemicycle, the Minister of the Interior Gérald Darmanin had praised Tuesday one of the “digital revolutions” of the ministry, when some victims have to “take half a day off” to file a complaint today. The criminal offenses concerned must be specified by a decree of the Council of State.
The choice between videoconference or face-to-face
With the backing of the presidential camp, the deputies adopted the an amendment from the socialist C&ecile Untermaier mentioning that the victim can refuse the videoconference, if she prefers a “face-to-face” procedure. The deputies also adopted a socialist proposal so that a victim of criminal offense can “ask to file a complaint and be heard” within “his home, a specialized association for victim assistance or any other place”.
An amendment by Marie Pochon (EELV), pre Seeing a possible experimentation for five years “of brigades of gendarmes and mobile police” to “receive complaints from victims of domestic violence in rural areas, in areas determined by decree” adopted. Examination of the text should continue this Thursday.