French law now defines rape that occurs without physical contact
A 2021 amendment to the French penal code introduced article 222-22-2, allowing rape charges even when no physical contact occurs.
The recent revision of the Code pénal, enacted on 21 April 2021, adds article 222-22-2, which classifies imposing a sexual act on a person—through violence, coercion, threat or surprise—as a sexual assault, regardless of physical contact. This legal change means that forcing someone to witness or experience a sexual act on camera can be prosecuted as rape. The provision broadens the scope of sexual violence offences in France.
Why it matters
It expands legal protection against non-physical sexual abuse, enabling prosecution of modern exploitation methods.
In this story
rape without contactarticle 222-22-2sexual assault lawApril 21 2021 amendmentFrancenon-physical sexual violence
