Sexual or gender-based harassment
Verified 10 November 2026 - Public Service / (Prime Minister), Ministry of Justice
You are undergoing reflections at sexual connotation or sexist, pressure for a sexual purpose? It is a offense sexual or gender-based harassment. Whatever your relationship with the perpetrator, you are protected by the law. The rules differ according to the context in which harassment occurs: outside the professional sphere or in the workplace (in the private or public sector). We present you the information to know.
Off-duty
Several acts can be considered sexual or gender-based harassment.
In the first place, this offense is characterized by the imposition on a person, repeatedly, comments or behaviors to sexual connotation or sexist.
This offense may be retained in 2 other cases:
- When a person sudden sexual or sexist comments or behaviors by several individuals who have consulted each other, without each of them acting repeatedly
- When a person sudden sexual or sexist comments or behaviors, from several individuals who have not consulted, but who know that this person has already been a victim of such acts.
In these different situations, these words or behaviors must:
- Attack the dignity of the victim, because of their humiliating or degrading nature
- Or create a situation that is intimidating, hostile or offensive.
Example :
- A neighbor makes you reflections on your body or obscene jokes
- Many people create a private discussion where they exchange derogatory messages about your sexual orientation
- Without having consulted, several students whistle at you every time you pass through the corridors of your school.
Finally, any form of severe pressure (even not repeated) for the purpose of obtaining a sexual act, for the benefit of the perpetrator or another person, is treated as sexual harassment. For example, the owner of a house requires you to have sex in exchange for signing a lease agreement.
In this case, harassment is characterized even if the perpetrator did not really intend to obtain a sexual act from you. That way, he will not be able to say that it was a bad joke.
Please note
If the author imposes a physical contact of a sexual nature on you, it may be a sexual assault. This offense is more severely punished than sexual harassment.
If you feel you have been sexually or gender-based harassed, you should gathering evidence to establish this offense. These may include:
- Identity and contact details of the perpetrator (surname, first name, email address, telephone number, etc.)
- Screenshots (SMS, images sent by messages, etc.)
- Copying emails
- Audio or video recordings
- Witness Attestation (with their full identity)
- Medical certificate.
All these documents must be dated.
This evidence is essential if you report the facts to the police, in case of referral to the Defender of Rights or if you file complaint.
Please note
They will be taken into account by the competent services, even if the events took place for several years.
The mechanisms in place to report sexual and gender-based harassment depend on the age of the victim :
FYI
All of these mechanisms are open to victims and witnesses of sexual or gender-based harassment.
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Major
As a victim or witness of sexual or gender-based harassment, you can contact the police or gendarmerie via instant messaging.
Reporting sexual or gender-based harassment to law enforcement
You will communicate directly with a specially trained police officer or gendarme of infringement. Since the chat, the policeman or gendarme will help you in your steps. If you feel ready, you will be referred to a police or gendarmerie service who will contact you again to file a complaint.
At any time, you can leave the chat and the discussion will be immediately deleted.
Minor
It is possible to report the facts to law enforcement and/or professionals of 3018.
Reporting to law enforcement
If you are a victim or witness of sexual or gender-based harassment, an instant messaging service (chat) allows you to report these facts to the competent authorities (police or gendarmerie):
FYI
At any time, the chat history may be deleted from your computer, mobile phone or tablet.
Following your report, an investigator will contact you and schedule an appointment to hear from you. They can refer you to a complaint.
FYI
If the facts are serious and/or there is a real possibility of their recurrence, an investigation may be opened without a complaint.
Report to 3018
You can contact the 3018, national number for victims of harassment and digital violence.
The professionals of this organization (psychologists, lawyers, etc.) are there to listen to you and guide you in your steps (example: filing a complaint).
Who shall I contact
To ask your questions anonymously and confidentially about school harassment.
By phone
3018
Open 7 days a week, from 9am to 11pm
Free and anonymous call
Website
App Store and Google Play
The 3018 app is also available from the App Store and Google Play.
The Defender of Rights may intervene in cases of sexual or gender-based harassment in the areas of housing or access to certain services.
In order for him to intervene, you must report the harassment. This report can be made by telephone, instant messaging (chat) or using an online service.
FYI
If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you have access to instant messaging.
Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement
By phone
You can contact the Defender of Rights at 3928 from Monday to Saturday, from 9:30 am to 7 pm (excluding public holidays).
By instant messaging (chat)
You can contact the lawyers of the Defender of Rights by instant messaging (chat):
Submit a case of discrimination by instant messaging to the Defender of Rights
Access is provided for deaf or hard of hearing persons:
Report discrimination to the Defender of Rights (specific device for deaf or hard of hearing people)
Online
You can contact the Defender of Rights via the following online service:
Submit a case of discrimination or harassment to the Ombudsman
When the Defender of Rights receives a request, he first checks that he has the right to intervene. If your request is not part of its mission, it directs you to the right interlocutor.
When your problem is part of his mission, the representative of the Defender of Rights informs you of the different possible solutions.
Sexual or gender-based harassment is punishable regardless of your relationship with the perpetrator (e.g. harassment by a neighbor, a relative, a stranger).
If you are victim you can complain about such facts by going to the police station or gendarmerie brigade of your choice. You also have the possibility to write to the public prosecutor.
Warning
The complaint must be filed in a 6 years after the last fact (a gesture, a statement, etc.).
On site
To file a complaint, you must go to police station or to the gendarme of your choice.
Police or gendarmerie services are obliged to register your complaint if you are a victim of a offense.
It's the public prosecutor who decides on the action to be taken on the complaint (investigation, filing without follow-up...).
When filing a complaint, you can bring a civil action against you for the offender to be ordered to pay you damages and interest.
Warning
If you are a minor, your legal representatives must accompany you so that you can become a civil party.
Throughout the procedure, you can be assisted by a lawyer.
If you don't have the financial resources to pay for this professional, you can eventually apply for legal aid.
By post
You can file a complaint with the public prosecutor.
To do this, you need to send a letter to court of the place of the offense or of the domicile of the offender.
Who shall I contact
Your mail should include the following:
- Your marital status and full contact details (address and telephone number)
- Detailed account of the facts, date and place of the offense
- Name of the alleged perpetrator if you know him (otherwise, the complaint will be filed against X)
- Name and address of any witnesses to the offense
- Description and provisional or definitive estimate of injury
- Your proof documents: medical certificates, work stoppages, photographs, videos, various invoices, statements...
You can use the following mail template:
File a complaint with the public prosecutor
You can send your complaint by mail or file it directly at the reception of the court.
When filing a complaint, you can bring a civil action against you for the offender to be ordered to pay you damages and interest.
Warning
If you are a minor, your legal representatives must accompany you so that you can become a civil party.
Throughout the procedure, you can be assisted by a lawyer.
If you don't have the financial resources to pay for this professional, you can eventually apply for legal aid.
The perpetrator of sexual or gender-based harassment shall be punished by 2 years' imprisonment and €30,000 of fine.
This sentence may be increased to 3 years' imprisonment and €45,000 fine if the acts were committed in certain circumstances, including:
- By a person who abuses the authority of his or her position (for example, your supervisor or employer)
- On a person who is very vulnerable because of his age, a physical or mental illness, a disability, a state of pregnancy apparent or known by the perpetrator
- On a person whose social and financial situation leads to a very high vulnerability and/or an apparent or known dependency of the author
- By several persons acting as authors or accomplices
- Through the use of an online public communication service or through a digital or electronic medium. Then we talk about cyberbullying.
FYI
The harasser may also be ordered to pay you damages and interest as compensation for your loss.
Labor (private sector)
In the workplace, several actions can be considered sexual or gender-based harassment.
In the first place, this offense is manifested by the fact of imposing on a person, repeatedly, comments or behaviors to sexual connotation or sexist.
Furthermore, sexual or gender-based harassment may be considered:
- When a worker sudden sexual or sexist comments or behaviors on the part of several individuals who have consulted each other, without each of them acting repeatedly
- When a worker sudden sexual or sexist comments or behavior from several people who have not consulted but who know that this worker has already been a victim of such acts.
In these different cases, these words or behaviors must:
- Infringe on the dignity of the worker, because of their humiliating or degrading nature
- Or create a situation that is intimidating, hostile or offensive.
Example :
Sexual or gender-based harassment can be used in several situations:
- Your supervisor makes several reflections on your body or obscene jokes
- Several colleagues create a private discussion on which they exchange derogatory messages about your sexual orientation
- Without having consulted, several people whistle at you every time you pass through the corridors of work.
Finally, any form of severe pressure (even not repeated) for the purpose of obtaining a sexual act, for the benefit of the perpetrator or another person, is treated as sexual harassment. For example, your supervisor promises you better working conditions in exchange for sex.
In this case, harassment is characterized even if the perpetrator did not really intend to obtain a sexual act from you. That way, he will not be able to say that it was a bad joke.
Please note
If a person has imposed a physical contact of a sexual nature on you, then it is a sexual assault. This offense is more seriously punished.
What information should the employer provide about sexual harassment?
The employer must inform workers of the laws that punish sexual or gender-based harassment. It must also inform them of any legal action that may be taken against the perpetrator of this offense. offense. Lastly, the employer must mention the contact details of all the services responsible for sexual harassment (e.g. occupational doctor, company listening unit, human rights defender).
This information is communicated by any means (e.g. posting at the entrance of the premises, on the establishment's website).
The rules and regulations also mentions the texts relating to sexual harassment.
Does the employer have obligations to prevent sexual or gender-based harassment?
Your employer has several obligations to prevent sexual and gender-based harassment.
In the first place, he must hold a single occupational risk assessment document (DUERP). This document makes it possible to assess the risks to the health and safety of workers in all aspects related to work (for example, psychosocial risks, including harassment, are included in the DUERP).
Furthermore, it must raise awareness among all workers (managers, employees, trainees, etc.) of the issue of sexual and gender-based harassment. For example, your employer may raise this issue at certain service meetings.
Finally, it must offer training in occupational health and safety to all workers.
FYI
Members of the Social and Economic Committee (CSE) and the focal point for combating sexual harassment receive a minimum of 5 days of training on health, safety and working conditions in the establishment. If their mandate is renewed, they benefit from 3 days of additional training. These courses are funded by the employer.
If you feel you have been sexually or gender-based harassed, you should bring together elements that suggest the existence of this offense. These may include:
- Identity and contact details of the perpetrator (surname, first name, email address, telephone number, etc.)
- Screenshots (SMS, images sent by messages, etc.)
- Working documents (pay slips, evaluation results, etc.)
- Copying emails
- Audio or video recordings
- Witness Attestation (with their full identity)
- Medical certificate.
Please note
These elements will be taken into account by the competent services, even if the events took place over several years. Thus, it is preferable that they be dated.
However, it is up to the employer to prove that he has not committed sexual or gender-based harassment.
The authorities to be notified in order to resolve a harassment case differ according to the perpetrator:
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Sexual or gender-based harassment by an employee
If you are a victim or witness of sexual or gender-based harassment, you can report it to the employer by writing to them.
Please note
Like victims, witnesses cannot be punished for reporting sexual harassment. On the other hand, they can be in case of false denunciation.
In your report, you can ask them to take all necessary measures to restore normal working conditions.
This report must be made in writing.
A template letter is available:
You also have the possibility to alert the employer through a:
- Line Manager
- Head of Human Resources
- Specially designated staff member
- Occupational physician
- Staff representative.
Please note
In companies with fewer than 11 employees, the staff representatives shall be the members of the Inter-professional Regional Joint Commissions (ICRP). In companies with more than 11 employees, the facts can be reported to the social and economic committee (CSE).
When faced with a charge of sexual or gender-based harassment, your employer must conduct an investigation to determine whether the facts actually occurred.
If so, your employer will have to order a disciplinary sanction (transfer, dismissal or even dismissal) against the perpetrator of the harassment. Indeed, the fact that an employee has committed such a crime offense constitutes a fault.
If your employer takes no action against the perpetrator, you can turn against him and ask him for damages and interest.
FYI
If you wish, you can alert labor inspection who will conduct an investigation and who can seize the public prosecutor.
Sexual or gender-based harassment by the employer
If you experience sexual or gender-based harassment from your employer, you can report the facts to staff representatives.
In companies with less than 11 employees, these are members of the Inter-professional Regional Joint Commissions (ICRP).
In companies with more than 11 employees, the facts can be reported to the social and economic committee (CSE).
You also have the option to alert labor inspection who will conduct an investigation and who can seize the public prosecutor.
The mechanisms in place to report sexual and gender-based harassment depend on the age of the worker who is the victim :
FYI
All of these mechanisms are open to victims and witnesses of sexual or gender-based harassment.
Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement
Major
As a victim or witness of sexual or gender-based harassment, you can contact the police or gendarmerie via instant messaging.
Reporting sexual or gender-based harassment to law enforcement
You will communicate directly with a specially trained police officer or gendarme of infringement. Since the chat, the policeman or gendarme will help you in your steps. If you feel ready, you will be referred to a police or gendarmerie service that will contact you again to file a complaint.
At any time, you can leave the chat and the discussion will be immediately deleted.
Minor
It is possible to report the facts to law enforcement and/or professionals of 3018.
Reporting to law enforcement
If you are a victim or witness of sexual or gender-based harassment, an instant messaging service (chat) allows you to report these facts to the competent authorities (police or gendarmerie):
FYI
At any time, the chat history may be deleted from your computer, mobile phone or tablet.
Following your report, an investigator will contact you and schedule an appointment to hear from you. They can refer you to a complaint.
FYI
If the facts are serious and/or there is a real possibility of their recurrence, an investigation may be opened without a complaint.
Report to 3018
You can contact the 3018, national number for victims of harassment and digital violence.
The professionals of this organization (psychologists, lawyers, etc.) are there to listen to you and guide you in your steps (example: filing a complaint).
Who shall I contact
To ask your questions anonymously and confidentially about school harassment.
By phone
3018
Open 7 days a week, from 9am to 11pm
Free and anonymous call
Website
App Store and Google Play
The 3018 app is also available from the App Store and Google Play.
If you are a victim or witness of sexual or gender-based harassment in the course of your work, you can contact the Defender of Rights by telephone, instant messaging (chat) or using an online service.
FYI
If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you have access to instant messaging.
Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement
By phone
You can contact the Defender of Rights at 3928 from Monday to Saturday, from 9:30 am to 7 pm (excluding public holidays).
By instant messaging (chat)
You can contact the lawyers of the Defender of Rights by instant messaging (chat):
Submit a case of discrimination by instant messaging to the Defender of Rights
Access is provided for deaf or hard of hearing persons:
Report discrimination to the Defender of Rights (specific device for deaf or hard of hearing people)
Online
You can contact the Defender of Rights via the following online service:
Submit a case of discrimination or harassment to the Ombudsman
When the Defender of Rights receives a request, he first checks that he has the right to intervene. If your request is not part of its mission, it directs you to the right interlocutor.
When your problem is part of his mission (example: you are harassed at work because of your pregnancy), the representative of the Defender of Rights informs you of the different possible solutions.
FYI
If you entered the labor court council and/or criminal courts, the Defender of Rights may also intervene before these courts to present his analysis of the case.
Sexual harassment is punished regardless of your professional relationship with the perpetrator (e.g. harassment by a colleague, by the employer, etc.). Moreover, this offense is punishable even if the acts took place outside the hours and place of work.
There are several ways of compensating the victim of harassment and punishing the perpetrator. The victim may refer the case to the Labor Court and/or the criminal courts.
Please note
Any representative trade union organization can take legal action in your place, provided that you have obtained your written consent.
What can a victim of harassment ask the Labor Court?
If you are a victim of sexual or gender-based harassment, you can refer the matter to the labor court.
Before this court, you have the possibility to:
- Solicit funds damages and interest to make good the damage you have suffered. So your employer will have to pay you a sum of money, even if he is not the perpetrator of the harassment.
- And/or to have a dismissal, a conventional rupture or a resignation that you believe to be related to sexual harassment (for example, a treaty break may be canceled if, at the date of its signature, the employer was aware of the harassment but took no measures to protect the harassed employee).
You can apply to the Labor Court even if you already have filed a complaint before the criminal courts. You do not have to inform your employer of the complaint against the alleged harasser.
The time limit for bringing an action before the Labor Court is 5 years from the latest incidents of harassment.
How to obtain the criminal conviction of the perpetrator of the harassment?
File a complaint against the harasser
If you experience sexual or gender-based harassment at work, you can lodge a complaint against the alleged perpetrator.
The complaint must be lodged with a police station or a gendarmerie brigade.
Please note
You have 6 years after the last act of harassment to file a complaint.
Who shall I contact
FYI
If you want to get damages and interest and follow the progress of the case, you can constitute yourself civil party at the time of filing a complaint and until the day of judgment.
The complaint leads to a police investigation which may lead to the judgment and conviction of the alleged perpetrator.
If you have filed a civil suit, the harasser may also be ordered to compensate you.
To help you in your efforts, you can get the assistance of a lawyer.
Who shall I contact
Please note
If you don't have the financial resources to settle the lawyer, you can apply for legal aid.
Obtaining the criminal conviction of the perpetrator of the harassment
Your complaint may lead to an investigation and may result in the judgment and conviction of the harasser.
The perpetrator of sexual or gender-based harassment shall be punished by 2 years' imprisonment and €30,000 of fine.
This sentence may be increased to 3 years' imprisonment and €45,000 fine if the acts were committed in certain circumstances, including:
- By a person who abuses the authority of his or her position (for example, your supervisor or employer)
- On a person who is very vulnerable because of his age, a physical or mental illness, a disability, a state of pregnancy apparent or known by the perpetrator
- On a person whose social and financial situation leads to a very high vulnerability and/or an apparent or known dependency of the author
- By several persons acting as authors or accomplices
- Through the use of an online public communication service or through a digital or electronic medium. Then we talk about cyberbullying.
FYI
The harasser may also be ordered to pay you damages and interest as compensation for your loss.
Labor (public sector)
In the workplace, several actions can be considered sexual or gender-based harassment.
In the first place, this offense is manifested by the fact of imposing on a person, repeatedly, comments or behaviors to sexual connotation or sexist.
Furthermore, sexual or gender-based harassment may be considered:
- When a worker sudden sexual or sexist comments or behaviors on the part of several individuals who have consulted each other, without each of them acting repeatedly
- When a worker sudden sexual or sexist comments or behavior from several people who have not consulted but who know that this worker has already been a victim of such acts.
In these different cases, these words or behaviors must:
- Infringe on the dignity of the worker, because of their humiliating or degrading nature
- Or create a situation that is intimidating, hostile or offensive.
Example :
Sexual or gender-based harassment can be used in several situations:
- Your supervisor makes several reflections on your body or obscene jokes
- Several colleagues create a private discussion on which they exchange derogatory messages about your sexual orientation
- Without having consulted, several people whistle at you every time you pass through the corridors of work.
Finally, any form of severe pressure (even not repeated) for the purpose of obtaining a sexual act, for the benefit of the perpetrator or another person, is treated as sexual harassment. For example, your supervisor promises you better working conditions in exchange for sex.
In this case, harassment is characterized even if the perpetrator did not really intend to obtain a sexual act from you. That way, he will not be able to say that it was a bad joke.
Please note
If a person has imposed a physical contact of a sexual nature on you, then it is a sexual assault. This offense is more seriously punished.
Your administration has an obligation to take all necessary measures to prevent sexual or gender-based harassment.
First of all, it was obliged to bring to the attention of its agents the texts that punished sexual harassment. This communication can be made by any means (example: at the entrance of the premises of the establishment).
In addition, your administration must hold a single occupational risk assessment document (DUERP). This document makes it possible to assess risks to workers' health and safety in all aspects related to work (for example: psychosocial risks, including harassment, are included in the DUERP).
It must also raise awareness of sexual and gender-based harassment among all workers (supervisors, permanent staff, trainees, etc.). Your employer may discuss this subject at certain service meetings.
Finally, your administration must provide occupational health and safety training to all staff.
If you feel you have been sexually or gender-based harassed, you should bring together elements that suggest the existence of this offense. These may include:
- Identity and contact details of the perpetrator (surname, first name, email address, telephone number, etc.)
- Screenshots (SMS, images sent by messages, etc.)
- Working documents (pay slips, evaluation results, etc.)
- Copying emails
- Audio or video recordings
- Witness Attestation (with their full identity)
- Medical certificate.
Please note
These elements will be taken into account by the competent services, even if the events took place over several years. Thus, it is preferable that they be dated.
However, it is up to the employer to prove that he has not committed sexual or gender-based harassment.
The mechanisms in place to report sexual and gender-based harassment depend on the age of the worker who is the victim :
FYI
All of these mechanisms are open to victims and witnesses of sexual or gender-based harassment.
Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement
Major
As a victim or witness of sexual or gender-based harassment, you can contact the police or gendarmerie via instant messaging.
Reporting sexual or gender-based harassment to law enforcement
You will communicate directly with a specially trained police officer or gendarme of infringement. Since the chat, the policeman or gendarme will help you in your steps. If you feel ready, you will be referred to a police or gendarmerie service who will contact you again to file a complaint.
At any time, you can leave the chat and the discussion will be immediately deleted.
Minor
It is possible to report the facts to law enforcement and/or professionals of 3018.
Reporting to law enforcement
If you are a victim or witness of sexual or gender-based harassment, an instant messaging service (chat) allows you to report these facts to the competent authorities (police or gendarmerie):
FYI
At any time, the chat history may be deleted from your computer, mobile phone or tablet.
Following your report, an investigator will contact you and schedule an appointment to hear from you. They can refer you to a complaint.
FYI
If the facts are serious and/or there is a real possibility of their recurrence, an investigation may be opened without a complaint.
Report to 3018
You can contact the 3018, national number for victims of harassment and digital violence.
The professionals of this organization (psychologists, lawyers, etc.) are there to listen to you and guide you in your steps (example: filing a complaint).
Who shall I contact
To ask your questions anonymously and confidentially about school harassment.
By phone
3018
Open 7 days a week, from 9am to 11pm
Free and anonymous call
Website
App Store and Google Play
The 3018 app is also available from the App Store and Google Play.
If you are a victim or witness of sexual or gender-based harassment in the course of your work, you can contact the Defender of Rights by telephone, instant messaging (chat) or using an online service.
FYI
If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you have access to instant messaging.
Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement
By phone
You can contact the Defender of Rights at 3928 from Monday to Saturday, from 9:30 am to 7 pm (excluding public holidays).
By instant messaging (chat)
You can contact the lawyers of the Defender of Rights by instant messaging (chat):
Submit a case of discrimination by instant messaging to the Defender of Rights
Access is provided for deaf or hard of hearing persons:
Report discrimination to the Defender of Rights (specific device for deaf or hard of hearing people)
Online
You can contact the Defender of Rights via the following online service:
Submit a case of discrimination or harassment to the Ombudsman
When the Defender of Rights receives a request, he first checks that he has the right to intervene. If your request is not part of its mission, it directs you to the right interlocutor.
When your problem is part of his mission (example: you are harassed at work because of your pregnancy), the representative of the Defender of Rights informs you of the different possible solutions.
Sexual or gender-based harassment is punished regardless of the professional relationship you have with the perpetrator (e.g. harassment by a colleague, by the employer).
Several legal means are available to protect the victim of harassment and to punish the perpetrator and the employer.
Please note
Any representative trade union organization can take legal action in your place, provided that you have obtained your written consent.
In which cases could harassment be brought before the administrative court?
Several situations may lead you to apply to the administrative court:
- You alerted your administration and it did not react
- You alerted your administration and they refused to act
- Your administration has punished you for reporting harassment.
You must bring the matter before the court within a certain period, which varies according to the situation:
- If the administration has made a decision, you have 2 months after the notification of the decision concerned (refusal of sanction by a superior, sanction for denunciation, etc.)
- If the administration has not responded within 2 months, you have 4 months from notification of harassment to the administration.
If the administrative court finds that your employer is at fault, it may be ordered to pay you damages and interest.
How to obtain the criminal conviction of the perpetrator of the harassment?
If you experience sexual or gender-based harassment at work, you can lodge a complaint against the alleged perpetrator.
The complaint must be lodged with a police station or a gendarmerie brigade.
Please note
You have 6 years after the last act of harassment to file a complaint.
Who shall I contact
FYI
If you wish to obtain damages and follow the progress of the case, you can constitute yourself civil party at the time of filing a complaint and until the day of judgment.
The complaint leads to a police investigation which may lead to the judgment and conviction of the alleged perpetrator.
If you have filed a civil suit, the harasser may also be ordered to compensate you.
To help you in your efforts, you can get the assistance of a lawyer.
Who shall I contact
Please note
If you don't have the financial resources to settle the lawyer, you can apply for legal aid.
There are two types of sanctions that can be imposed on the perpetrator of sexual harassment.
Penalties that may be taken by the employer
A public official guilty of harassment risks disciplinary sanctions : automatic relocation, removal from the progress table, or even revocation.
Criminal sanctions
The perpetrator of sexual or gender-based harassment shall be punished by 2 years' imprisonment and €30,000 of fine.
This sentence may be increased to 3 years' imprisonment and €45,000 fine if the acts were committed in certain circumstances, including:
- By a person who abuses the authority of his or her position (for example, your supervisor or employer)
- On a person who is very vulnerable because of his age, a physical or mental illness, a disability, a state of pregnancy apparent or known by the perpetrator
- On a person whose social and financial situation leads to a very high vulnerability and/or an apparent or known dependency of the author
- By several persons acting as authors or accomplices
- Through the use of an online public communication service or through a digital or electronic medium. Then we talk about cyberbullying.
FYI
The harasser may also be ordered to pay you damages and interest as compensation for your loss.
Who can help me?
Find who can answer your questions in your region
Obtain information on harassment cases
Access points to the rightGetting help with sexual or gender-based harassment
This service allows victims of infringements (excluding damage to property on the internet) to be listened to and referred to a victim support association or a specialized service. It is accessible to deaf and hard of hearing people.
In metropolitan France
116,006
Free call
Service available every day of the year, from 9am to 8pm.
Outside metropolitan France (or from the foreigner)
+ 33 (0)1 80 52 33 76
Free call
Service reachable every day of the year, from 9am to 8pm (Paris time).
By email
By email: victimes@116006.fr
Seeking help in cases of sexual or gender-based harassment (women only)
Listen, inform and guide women victims of violence, and witnesses to such violence.
Deals with physical, verbal or psychological violence, at home or at work, and of any kind (including sexual harassment, assault and rape).
Does not deal with emergencies (this is not a police or gendarmerie service).
For other types of violence, 3919 provides a first-level response and directs or forwards to a useful number.
By phone
39.19 (free call from a landline or mobile phone in metropolitan and DOM)
Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Anonymous call
Call not listed on phone bills
Obtain counseling and counseling in cases of sexual or gender-based harassment (service reserved for minors and young adults)
Support for young people (victims, witnesses, perpetrators), families and professionals in the face of harassment and digital violence
By phone
3018
Service open throughout the year, 7 days a week from 9am to 11pm.
Toll-free number: free call and service, from a landline or mobile phone
Alert the labor inspectorate
Regional Directorate for the Economy, Employment, Labor and Solidarity (DREETS)
Definition and sanctions of sexual harassment
Sexual harassment in the private sector
Action before the Labor Court
Sexual harassment in the public sector
Reporting of sexual harassment in the public sector
Document template
Document template
Document template
Service Public
Service Public
Service Public
Ministry of Labor
Administration and Public Service Branch (APSB)
Ministry of Justice