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France Just Outlawed Catcalling and Street Harassment

Aug. 02, 2018
2 min read
paris street metro station
France Just Outlawed Catcalling and Street Harassment
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Bad news for men who somehow think it's OK to tell women to smile or whistle at them as they pass by on the street, especially in France — now it's illegal.

This legislation has been in the works for about a year now, but it's official as of Thursday morning, according to Reuters.

The law would introduce on-the-spot charges of up to 750 euros for catcalling or other inappropriate, unwanted behaviors. While the government is not looking to "kill the culture of the French lover," it will "forbid insulting, intimidating, threatening, and following women in public spaces.”

This news comes only a few days after a disturbing video went viral in France. In it, a young woman was punched in the face by a passerby after she told him to "shut up" when he catcalled her.

Additionally, this new piece of legislation extends the statute of limitations for filing a sexual-assault report. Until now, this statute was 20 years from when the survivor turned 18 — it's now been extended by another decade.

Gender equality minister Marlène Schiappa, one of the proponents for the new law, further explained that "We want to preserve seduction, chivalry, and ‘l’amour à la francaise’ by saying what is key is consent."

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This has been a long time coming and serves as a reminder that there's a big difference between exploring the City of Love with someone you love — and being harassed by someone you don't.

Photo by JOHN TOWNER on Unsplash

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  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
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  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
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