• On Thursday night, France‘s government approved a proposal to add “psychological violence” to a law that intends to help domestic abuse victims. The proposal does not allow a husband or wife to “act or repeatedly say things that could damage the victim’s life conditions, affect his/her rights and his/her dignity or damage his/her physical or mental health.” Punishment for breaking the “psychological violence” law could be three years in prison or a fine of around $100,000. Some are skeptical that the law will be applicable, but the sponsors say it will help victims by taking into account non-physical acts of intimidation, like aggressive text messages or emails. [New York Times]
• Nineteen-year-old Hani Khan, who is of Indian and Pakistani descent, said she lost her job at the mall clothing store Hollister because her Muslim headscarf violated the “look policy.” Khan’s manager had told her, in accordance with the “look policy,” she had to wear a scarf that was white, gray or navy blue. Khan consented and worked in the stockroom without any problems for six months. Then the store manager popped in for a visit and six days later when Khan came to work, she was put on the phone with Abercrombie & Fitch‘s human resources. (A&F owns Hollister.) The HR person told Khan her headscarf violated the “look policy” and when Khan refused to remove it, she was taken off the work schedule. A&F declined to comment. [AOL News]

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