France is set to enact a ban on “psychological violence” occurring between couples, with accusations of insults and verbal abuse leading to criminal prosecutions.
The ban, intended mainly to “protect” women from spousal abuse, would redefine rows between married and cohabiting couples as “psychological violence,” on the basis that “mental and verbal abuse” occur, causing psychological harm.
Even supporters of the law admit that prosecution would likely be based solely on the word of the accuser versus that of the accused, already a significant problem with crimes such as violation.
One psychiatrist supporter of the bill argues for it even if there is “no proof” of a crime, though she concedes caution is required:
“I think it’s important to have a law but it must be formulated so there isn’t too much risk of manipulation or mistakes.
I treat people whose lives have been torn apart but they haven’t been hit. There are no physical marks, no proof.”
She suggests that recorded phone calls and the opinion of psychiatrists could be used in place of traditional evidence.
She insists insults lead to physical violence:
“It’s a relationship which is based on control and domination – and if you want to prevent physical violence, you have to take action early on.
Even if there are no physical blows, it’s still devastating.”
A lawyer supporting the law dismisses the notion that there could be any difficulties proving guilt in such cases:
“There are other crimes which are also hard to prove, such as bullying or harassment in the workplace.
For a long time people said you can’t have a law against bullying because it’s too difficult to prove, but now there is a law and people get convicted.”
The ban is said to have a good chance of passing, being supported by the Prime Minister, lawmakers and feminist groups.
It seems broadening the crime of “psychological violence” to include criticism of groups and individuals is the logical next step…
Via the BBC.
This is a touchy subject. I understand and even agree that pyschological harm can be just as bad if not worse than phyiscal harm.
That said, this is potentially a huge blow and problem to freedom of speech, something that is equally important to human mental health.
This is not a black and white issue.I think it needs to be studied further for better decisions to be made.
So now adults can be “tattletales…”
HE CALLED ME A BITCH! D:
listen guys I’m french and I’ve never heard about that…
the only barely political stuff you can find in our newspaper are “a new song of the pres’ wife just came out” or picture of them on holidays… ( presidential holidays are 32 weeks a year here )
no, it’s no like they do actual work … I want to go to japan >>
This is completely messed up. This is the most ridiculious law i’ve ever heard about. God the world is definitely on it’s way to getting rid of men.
Hell this is going to be so messed up.
man french goverment people being affected by emotional irrational feminism too much.
They truly want to show how tough they are protecting women,because i don’t think this will help men when women start insulting too much and then they say take it like a man -_-(they mean pussy)
Didn’t know they had a bunch of pussified manginas in their goverment.Unless the law can actually be fair to both then try it.
But still banning insults sound stupid,maybe they should make programs how to train people to do something themselfs in their relationship.
Work on your grammar, you misogynist.