Clarification

In “On Our Defense of Roman Polanski—Sex, Lies and Witchhunts” (WV No. 1135, 1 June), we wrote in reply to a letter: “In France, there is no minimum legal age for sexual activity and no presumption of ‘rape’ if a minor is involved, though there have been recent efforts to impose an ‘age of consent’ law.” France does not currently have an “age of consent” law akin to those that exist in the U.S., where a minor is legally presumed incapable of consent, and thus sex with a minor is treated as a form of rape (statutory). France also does not have a minimum legal age for sex per se—i.e., people under 18 can legally engage in sexual activity. However, an adult who has sex with someone under the age of 15, while not automatically presumed to have committed rape, can be prosecuted for a “sexual infraction” punishable by up to five years in prison and a maximum fine of 75,000 euros ($87,500).