France announces new measures to combat violence against women

Poster reads "Complaint or not, I believe you". People attend a demonstration to protest against femicide, sexual violence and all gender-based violence ahead of the International Day for Elimination of Violence Against Women, in Paris, France, 23 November, 2024.

The government's measures – announced to mark International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women – include expanding the system for filing complaints in hospitals and awareness-raising campaigns on "chemical submission" in the wake of the Mazan mass rape trial.

Despite making combatting violence against women a national cause, sexual violence appears to be on the increase in France.

In the latest VRS survey, published in November, 484,000 women said they had been victims of violence by a partner or former partner in 2023.

Some 123,000 reported sexual violence (rape, attempted rape and sexual assault), 109,000 physical violence, and 339,000 non-physical violence (sexual harassment and indecent exposure).

Official figures show 93 women were killed at the hands of their partner or former partner in 2023, while feminist collective #Noustoutes (All of us Women) has reported 122 such femicides since the beginning of the year.

Mass rape trial sparks demonstrations across France

On Saturday thousands of women in France took to the streets to denounce the government's insufficient action.

The government is hoping it will encourage more victims to press charges.


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