Quote:

French MPs have voted unanimously to make "psychological violence" within a couple an offence punishable by up to three years in prison as part of new measures aimed at improving protection for victims of domestic abuse.

Politicians from the left and right supported the passing of a law which singles out "repeated" verbal actions intended to hurt the victim's rights and dignity or their physical or mental health. As well as a jail sentence, offenders could be ordered to pay a fine of up to €75,000 (£66,600).

Supporters of the law claim an estimated 8% of women in France are psychologically abused by their partner. Chantal Brunel, a member of Nicolas Sarkozy's majority Union for a Popular Movement (UMP) party, described it as "a preventative measure as psychological violence always precedes [physical] blows".

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/feb/26/french-jail-psychological-ab...

What are your thoughts on this? Is three years jail time sufficient or should the law just stand to give a fine.

Yet there are many cases that have lead 'women' to murder their husbands and i saw 'women' because that is the case hence the creation of 'battered womens syndrome' used as somewhat of a defence in famous cases such as Holley and Ahluwalia.

Also should a definition of 'psychological harm/abuse' be put into a statute or should it be on a case by case basis, yet i guess thats what a jury system is for.

And finally where should the line be drawn because ofcourse couples have their ups and downs yet should one day of agressive shouting be deemed 'psychological harm/abuse', it will be interesting to see how the french handle this as cases begin to come court.