France’s National Assembly passes comprehensive bill against sexual and gender-based violence

France has taken a step towards overhauling how it tackles sexual violence after MPs passed a sweeping bill without a single vote against. It would create specialist police units and courts, abuse checks in schools and leave for victims – but protections for foreign women were dropped and the cost is still unclear.

France's parliament has overwhelmingly passed a ‘comprehensive’ bill against gender-based and sexual violence - although the bill now moves to the more conservative Senate, with the bill’s supporters fearing that the key advances achieved may be watered down, even though the government has pledged to safeguard its aims.

The National Assembly overwhelmingly passed the so-called “comprehensive” bill against sexist and sexual violence on Tuesday. The focus now shifts to the more conservative Senate, with the bill’s supporters fearing that its main advances could be watered down, even though the government insists it will act as guarantor of the bill’s ambition. Sponsored in the Assembly by eight political groups, from the Communists to Les Républicains (LR), the text was adopted by 503 votes to 0. Only the LFI (La France Insoumise) deputies abstained, denouncing in particular the removal of measures aimed at protecting foreign women. FRANCE 24's Monte Francis reports.

In France, a new "comprehensive law" aims to strengthen preventative measures, the judicial process and support for child victims of sexual violence. Yet advocacy groups, lawyers, and healthcare professionals point out that the legislation has numerous shortcomings. We take a closer look in this edition of France in Focus. Warning: viewers may find parts of this report disturbing.

France’s National Assembly is set to vote on a comprehensive bill to tackle sexual and gender-based violence. The proposed legislation would create specialised police units to investigate sexual crimes, broaden the definition of incest, and introduce penalties for stalking and sending unsolicited explicit images. It also includes school interviews aimed at detecting abuse and violence. If adopted, the law would come into force in 2032. While the bill has broad political support, some NGOs have expressed disappointment with the final draft, arguing that key measures have been weakened or removed, as Luke Shrago explains from the National Assembly.

France’s National Assembly is voting on a comprehensive bill to tackle gender-based and sexual violence, following public outrage over the rape and murder of 11-year-old Lyhanna. The proposed law includes stronger investigations, specialised police units and courts, and dedicated support for child victims. However, campaigners and lawmakers warn that funding remains uncertain, while several measures have been dropped over budget concerns.