Verbal Abuse Now a Crime in France

Original article here.

Insults illegal under new law in France

Friday, July 02, 2010 10:30:00 AM

By MSN NZ Travel staff

Husbands could be jailed for insulting their wives under a controversial new law in France.

The law makes it illegal for partners to insult each other or threaten physical violence, according to the UK Telegraph.

Under the new legislation offenders could face up to three years in prison and a fine of $NZ135,000.
The law, which applies to both married couples and cohabiting partners, has been unanimously approved by French MPs.


But it has been slammed by French magistrates who argue that it would be too difficult to determine what constitutes an insult in court.

"This is just a poster law pushed through to please women's rights lobbies — but it's inapplicable in practice and if anything will increase conflicts in families," said Virgine Duval, national secretary of French magistrates' union USM. 

"Men who beat their wives can exploit the new law by saying: 'Yes but I was the victim of psychological violence'."

Upon introducing a draft of the legislation in November last year, French Prime Minister Francois Fillon said it was a "national cause".

"It will allow authorities to deal with the most insidious situations, which don't leave a mark to the naked eye but can mutilate the victim's inner self," he said.