France, Oct. 17 -- The so-called comprehensive bill against sexual and gender-based violence, adopted by the National Assembly on Tuesday, is now headed for a vote in the French Senate.

Legislators have been under pressure to act since the rape and murder of an 11-year-old girl exposed shortcomings in France's justice system.

The victim went missing in south-west France at the end of May. The man suspected of killing her had previously faced several complaints of sexual violence against underage girls, but those investigations stalled or were dropped.

The case prompted weekly demonstrations outside the Justice Ministry and pushed reform back on to the government's agenda.

Legislation first proposed at the end of last year was prioriti...