MACRON WANTS SEXUAL VIOLENCE IN FAMILIES PUNISHED SEVERELY

Following the many reactions to the publication of lawyer Camille Kouchner's book on alleged sexual abuse, France's President Emmanuel Macron wants to bring in tougher measures to combat sexual violence in the family, Deutsche Presse-Agentur (dpa) reported.

Criminals must be punished for their past acts and testimonies must be collected from people who were also victimized years and decades ago, Macron said in a video posted on his Twitter account. Children who are victims of incest and sexual violence must be better protected, the head of state added.

According to the French news agency Agence France-Presse (AFP), Macron has instructed Justice Minister Eric Dupond-Moretti and Secretary of State for Children and the Family Adrien Taquet to hold consultations and come up with proposals on the matter as soon as possible.

In early January, Kouchner published a book about alleged sexual abuse in her famous family.

The work has sparked a debate on incest and encouraged numerous people to share their experiences of assault within the family under the hashtag #metooinceste.

The hashtag is inspired by #MeToo, which has been representative of the fight against everyday sexism, abuse and coercion worldwide for several years.

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