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France to introduce new law banning 'psychological violence' in marriages
By Peter Allen
France will become the first country in the world to ban 'psychological violence' within marriage later this year.
The new law, which would also apply to co-habiting couples, would see people getting criminal records for insulting their loved ones during domestic arguments.
Electronic tagging would be used on repeat offenders, according to the country's prime minister, Francois Fillon, who announced the law.
couple arguing
Partners who resort to 'psychological violence' during arguments could end up with a criminal record under a new French law. (Posed by models)
If it proves successful, it could be introduced in other European countries including Britain.
But critics dismissed the measure as a 'gimmick' which would be impossible to implement.
The law is particularly aimed at protecting women who currently suffer the worst attacks of this kind, ranging from off-hand comments about their appearance to threats of physical violence.
Francois Fillon
French Prime Minister Francois Fillon said electronic tagging would be used on repeat offenders
Mr Fillon said: 'It's an important step forward as the creation of this offence will allow us to deal with the most insidious situations - situations that leave no visible scars, but which leave victims torn up inside.'
He added that his government would also be experimenting with electronic surveillance measures to 'monitor the effectiveness of restraining orders against a violent spouse'.
Psychologist Anne Giraud said: 'Squabbling couples will allege all kinds of things about each other, but they won't necessarily be true.
'The police are likely to be called out more and more when this law comes into force this year, but often it will be a case of one person's word against the other.
'Psychological violence is a very serious matter, but punishing it through the courts is a very different matter altogether.'
Critics have also said the government should not be intervening in private domestic arguments in which no one got hurt.
Sociologist Pierre Bonnet said: 'The next step will be to make rudeness a criminal offence. The police and courts will be over-stretched trying to deal with the numerous cases.'
A TV advertising campaign was used last year to try and highlight domestic violence in France. It showed a husband who regularly insults his wife, leaving her mentally traumatised.
In 2008, 157 French women were killed by their husband or partner, with hundreds more suffering domestic physical violence.
A spokesman for Mr Fillon said the new law was supported by the government, and was likely to come into effect within six months.
