Abrogation of the Second Paragraph of Article 475 of the Penal Code (Prevent Child Marriage)

Brief Description

One of the measures taken by Morocco to prevent early and forced marriages of children was the abrogation of the second paragraph of Article 475 of the Penal Code; which allows for the prosecution of the minor girl's rapist and forbids him from marrying her, and to reinforce this protection, particularly for children who have been sexually assaulted following an act of corruption or kidnapping. The sentence has been aggravated against kidnappers and seducers of minor children; the sentence of imprisonment is therefore 10 years for an act of seduction and kidnapping followed by sexual intercourse, even if consented to. If combined with indecent assault the sentence can reach 20 years; in case of seduction and kidnapping followed by rape, the sentence reaches 30 years. Some provisions of the Penal Code that violate the dignity of women have also been removed.