# France's sexual violence bill passes but leaves gaps

> Parliament unanimously backs sweeping reforms to prosecute abuse, yet campaigners say it ignores prevention and abandons vulnerable victims.
- Title: France's sexual violence bill passes but leaves gaps · RFI
- Summary: Parliament unanimously backs sweeping reforms to prosecute abuse, yet campaigners say it ignores prevention and abandons vulnerable victims. France's…
- Keywords: france, sexual violence, legislation, national assembly, gender-based violence, victim protection, migrant women, feminist activism, news, world, France's, sexual
- Source: RFI — https://rfi.fr/en/france/20261017-france-s-new-sexual-violence-bill-fails-to-tackle-root-causes
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: france, sexual violence, legislation, national assembly, gender-based violence, victim protection, migrant women, feminist activism, news, world
## Parliament backs sweeping reforms
France's National Assembly passed a comprehensive bill against sexual and gender-based violence on Tuesday, now headed for a Senate vote. The legislation aims to overhaul investigation and prosecution.
## An 11-year-old's death sparked action
An 11-year-old girl went missing in south-west France at the end of May. The man suspected of killing her had faced several complaints of sexual violence against underage girls, but investigations stalled or were dropped.
## Campaigners hail historic step forward
Laura Slimani of Fondation des Femmes said the bill is the first comprehensive response to gender-based violence in France, with measures that adapt the justice system to the specific nature of this violence.

> It is the first time we are getting a comprehensive response to the issue of gender-based and sexual violence in this country
## Specialist judges and trained police
If it becomes law, investigating sexual and domestic violence will be handled by specialists. Courts must have at least two expert judges and prosecutors, and police must create specially trained units.
## Mandatory investigation steps required
Officers must carry out a minimum set of investigative steps within a year to reduce complaints being dropped.

> a huge number of complaints are dismissed because the offences aren't sufficiently substantiated
## Protections for vulnerable groups removed
The bill originally included measures protecting foreign victims of sexual violence, including prohibiting authorities from ordering victims to leave France and guaranteeing a two-year residency permit. MPs on the right and centre removed these provisions.
## Migrant women face impossible choice
Cimade, a French charity working with migrants, says nearly seventy percent of women it assists lose their residence permits when they leave an abusive partner because their right to stay is tied to the relationship.

> Nearly 70 percent of women Cimade assists at its specialist support centres lose their residence permits when they leave an abusive partner
## Bill ignores prevention, activists say
Emmanuelle of #NousToutes told RFI the bill focuses on criminal penalties with few prevention measures. She said education on emotional and sexual matters for all children is the main tool needed, but schools lack resources.

> This bill does nothing to tackle the root causes of gender-based violence
## Funding gap leaves implementation unclear
Implementing the bill fully has been estimated to cost at least three billion euros on top of current spending.
## Key takeaway

France's National Assembly passed a comprehensive sexual violence bill on Tuesday, but activists say it focuses on punishment over prevention and fails to protect migrants, disabled women and LGBTI people.