France Is Considering On-The-Spot Fines For Street Harassment
"Society has to redefine what it will accept and what it will not."
This article discusses sexual harassment and child sexual assault.
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The French government has announced it will consider introducing on-the-spot fines for street harassment, as part of a suite of proposals to crack down on sexual harassment and abuse that will be presented to Parliament next year!
The proposals were put forward by French minister for gender equality Marlène Schiappa on Monday, and include street harassment fines as well as measures to increase the statute of limitations on sexual abuse of minors, giving victims longer to come forward and press charges.
Schiappa has been suggesting stronger measures to combat sexual harassment since becoming Minister for Equality in May. She has previously pointed out that laws targeting street harassment are crucial, as street harassment is not covered under France’s laws against workplace sexual harassment.
It’s not yet clear what kinds of street harassment the laws will target, or how they will work. In her announcement on Monday, Schiappa said that there will be a period of “citizens’ consultation” allowing police, magistrates and the people to weigh in on what should be considered unacceptable (acts like wolf-whistling, making lewd comments and following women on the subway have been suggested as acts up for discussion), and what kind of fines this behaviour should attract.
There will be around 300 public workshops across France where interested citizens can weigh in on the proposed law, which will be presented to Parliament in the first half of 2018.
“The point is that the whole of society has to redefine what it will accept and what it will not,” Schiappa told French newspaper La Croix. “Voices are being heard, in France as in other parts of the world. Society is ready to reject this violence. There is a desire to act.”
Schiappa’s proposals come amidst widespread discussion about sexual assault and harassment. The hashtag #MeToo — which arose in the wake of the Harvey Weinstein scandal to highlight the prevalence of sexual assault in society — is currently trending on social media. Additionally, French hashtag #balancetonporc (which roughly translates to “squeal on your pig”) has also gone viral, with thousands of women using it to share their experiences of assault and harassment and shame those responsible.
In his first live TV interview on Sunday, French President Emmanuel Macron also weighed in on the topic, committing to increase police powers to combat sexual violence. Macron also slammed Harvey Weinstein, saying he had taken steps towards removing Weinstein’s French Legion of Honour award.
While Australian police in some states do technically have the power to issue on-the-spot fines for some forms of street harassment under laws targeting offensive language and conduct, we don’t have laws specifically targeting the kind of behaviour the French bill seeks to include. It will be interesting to see what the outcome of consultation with citizens is, and what kind of behaviour and penalties make it into the final legislation.
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If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au. In an emergency, call 000.
The National University Support Line also offers 24/7 free trauma counselling, at 1800 572 224.
Men can access anonymous confidential telephone counselling to help to stop using violent and controlling behaviour through the Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491.