From April 1, sexist remarks are a crime

You only have to engage in conversation with young women on the street to realize that almost all of them have suffered a gender-based attack. “Insistent looks, ‘you’re good’. When we go for a walk, they’ll turn around and whistle at you. Always the same thing”, lists a young woman. “I didn’t even know you could sue that. (…) I said to myself ‘don’t calculate, move on’“. Another young woman claims to have suffered inappropriate gestures in the Paris metro. “I was talking to a friend on the phone and the gentleman also took the opportunity to put his hand on my legs. Now I feel like I can’t dress how I want on public transport.“

€3,750 fine

As of April 1, these sexist behaviors will no longer be punished with a simple fine, but will become offenses. The fine incurred for this type of offense increases from 1,500 euros to 3,750 euros. “Above all, it’s sending a strong message to people who think it’s okay to comment on women’s bodies or treat them like sex objects.”launches Yseline Fourtic-Dutarde, co-president of the collective Together against sexism.