Models too thin: had we really need a law? – TF1

Was it really a law to ban the use of underweight models? The agencies will soon have the right to resort to models which could encourage leanness Anorexia teen. The National Assembly has indeed passed an amendment to this effect. This Friday, a group of researchers – sociologists and philosophers – takes the opposite of that text and even branded “amendment which endangers the sick” in an article published by the daily Libération.

“Despite of our reserves [..] PS MEPs insisted create a new offense in the criminal coded celuide incitement to excessive thinness on the internet. This amendment aims to combat eating disorders. But in fact, it ends not endanger thousands of patients and prevent the working professionals and health, and associations fighting against eating behavior disorders, “write the researchers grouped within the Anamia project, project funded by the French National Research Agency.

Criticizing “legislative zombie,” the researchers regret a “populist and dangerous” measure aimed including blogs, forums and so-called pro-anorexic sites. According to their work carried out from 2010 to 2014, the prohibition of such sites would in fact be against-productive. “Any attempt at censorship and repression is not only ineffective but also harmful (since authors and users of these contents tend more and more to hide). These sites are instead” a support space, “says Anamia. “Criminalizing these sites actually amounts to fight against the sick, not against the disease,” they conclude.

10,000 euro fine

The National Assembly has created a new offense punishable by a year’s imprisonment and a fine of € 10,000 to suppress incitement to excessive thinness, particularly on the part of pro-anorexia Web sites.

“To provoke a person to seek excessive thinness by encouraging prolonged dietary restrictions that have the effect of exposing to danger of death or directly jeopardize his health is punishable by one year imprisonment and 10,000 euros in fine, “says the text. The Health Minister Marisol Touraine was declared favorable to it, as the rapporteur of the bill, Olivier Veran (PS).

To combat eating disorders such as anorexia, creating a new offense “is necessary because the provisions of the Criminal Code does not currently allow s’ Tackling the action of certain websites, “according to the signatories of the amendment, starting with MPs Maud Olivier and Catherine Contello.