Protection of minors: MPs reject life imprisonment for repeat child rapists; a new vote is planned.

The National Assembly on Friday narrowly rejected, by a vote of 40 to 37, a provision imposing life imprisonment on perpetrators of serial rapes committed against at least one minor under the age of 15. Introduced by the government in the draft law on child protection following the Joël Le Scouarnec case, this measure was defeated after a particularly heated debate. The government subsequently requested a second reading, which will take place on Tuesday, before the final vote on the entire bill.

The Minister Delegate for Gender Equality, Aurore Bergé, expressed her regret at this rejection, arguing that current legislation does not allow for life imprisonment in cases of multiple rapes of minors. She specifically cited the case of Joël Le Scouarnec, convicted of hundreds of rapes and sexual assaults on minors, but facing a maximum sentence of twenty years' imprisonment for the crimes he was convicted of.

The left prioritizes prevention over harsher sentences.

Left-wing groups and environmentalists justified their opposition by arguing that strengthening sanctions does not address the difficulties in detecting and prosecuting sexual violence against children. Several members of parliament pointed out that only a small proportion of perpetrators are actually convicted and advocated for increased resources for prevention, justice, and investigations to combat recidivism.

Despite this rejection, the members of parliament adopted several other provisions of the bill. The text notably provides for a sentence of up to 30 years' imprisonment for serial rapes when at least one victim is a minor. Parliamentarians also approved a measure requiring parents to disclose the identities of activity leaders involved in extracurricular activities, in order to strengthen transparency and security in schools.