France, Oct. 14 -- The legislation, known as the "comprehensive" bill, was adopted by 503 votes to none in the National Assembly on Tuesday. It now goes to the Senate for further examination.

MPs from the hard-left France Unbowed (LFI) party abstained, objecting in particular to the removal of measures intended to protect foreign women.

The bill grew out of years of campaigning by feminist groups and was put on parliament's agenda following the rape and murder of Lyhanna, an 11-year-old girl, in south-west France.

The man suspected of killing her had previously faced several complaints of sexual violence against underage girls - a case that intensified calls for such complaints to be investigated more systematically.

Eight political g...