The French approved a measure to criminalize “psychological violence” as part of a law designed to protect victims of domestic abuse. Critics have said the measure is pointless because of how tricky the prosecution of such crimes can be, but the existence and symbolism of the law might be more important than its implementation.

The legislation is gender-neutral but clearly aimed at bringing justice to the estimated 8 percent of women in France who are psychologically abused by partners. It will punish those in cohabitating relationships who repeatedly make verbal commentary that is detrimental to a partner’s mental health – which can encompass a huge variety of insults.

Skeptics cite the impossibility of gathering evidence and proving that something like psychological abuse has occurred, while supporters of the measure say that text messages and testimonies will be enough to place the guilty behind bars. A lot of the cases will likely wind up playing out like an episode of Judge Judy.

Placing the messy courtroom logistics aside, the effectiveness of the measure lies in its ability to prevent physical violence – when a woman can bring her husband to court for tormenting her verbally, she can throw another stumbling block in his path to abusing her physically, no matter what the judge decides. One lawyer told the French newspaper Le Monde that the measure is, first and foremost, symbolically relevant: “This is about making potential culprits understand there is no sanctuary and no bastion where this violence can be expressed,” he said.