Physical or psychological violence
Verified 07 August 2026 - Public Service / (Prime Minister)
A person has you voluntarily hurt by hitting you or by behaving aggressively and hostile? This is about violence. If you are a victim or witness of such acts, you can make a report to the competent authorities. As a victim, you can file a complaint and constitute yourself civil party to obtain the conviction of the perpetrator and compensation. We present you the steps to follow.
Warning
If you are victim of domestic violence or sexual violence, dedicated organizations can listen and help you.
Physical and psychological violence are intentional violence.
They shall be punished in the same way even if the consequences are distinct:
- Physical abuse results in harm to your physical integrity (injuries, disability, etc.)
- Psychological violence causes harm to your psychic integrity (emotional shock, loss of self-confidence, psychological disturbances, etc.)
Physical and psychological violence can take the form of:
- Blows with hand, foot, fist, object
- Bite
- Voluntary deprivation of care (especially on an elderly person or a minor)
- Insults and humiliations
- Denigration.
So that the intentional violence be retained, the perpetrator must have the intention to hurt you, even if it does not act with premeditation.
In case of emergency, you can prevent emergency services (Police Secours, Samu, etc.), whether you are a adult or minor, victim or witness.
Peculiarities exist if you are deaf, hard of hearing, deaf-blind, aphasic or victim of violence by a family member (parent, spouse, child, etc.).
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Person without disability
Who shall I contact
By phone
Dial 17 in the event of an emergency involving a road accident, a breach of public order or a criminal offense. A team of police or gendarmes will visit the scene.
You can also dial the 112. You will then be directed to the right service according to your case. The 112 can be used in all countries of the.
A call on these numbers is geolocated, identified and prioritized. It does not appear on the invoices.
If the situation is not an emergency, call your police station or gendarmerie brigade.
FYI
Emergency services use a unique number, the 0,800,112,112, for recall people who contacted the emergency services.
This number is free: you will not be charged or overcharged for dropping out. There is no risk in answering this call, it is not spam.
Not to be surprised if it appears on your phone screen, you can add it to your smartphone directory under the name " Emergency services ». This way you will know that you can respond with confidence.
If you are a victim or witness of domestic, sexual or gender-based violence, instant messaging (chat) allows you to chat with a police officer:
At any time, the chat history may be deleted from your computer, mobile phone or tablet.
Deaf, hard of hearing, deaf-blind and aphasic person (Emergency 114 by video, chat, SMS, images)
If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you can contact 114 free of charge.
This service operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Its purpose is to bring in emergency services.
You can reach 114 from:
- A computer by going to www.urgence114.fr
- A smartphone with the « emergency 114 » app downloadable on Apple and Google Play.
The 114 is thus accessible by video, chat, SMS and images.
To be able to call emergency services quickly, 114 needs your name, your precise address and the reason for the call.
FYI
Emergency services use a unique number, the 0,800,112,112, for recall people who contacted the emergency services.
This number is free: you will not be charged or overcharged for dropping out. There is no risk in answering this call, it is not spam.
Not to be surprised if it appears on your phone screen, you can add it to your smartphone directory under the name " Emergency services ». This way you will know that you can respond with confidence.
If you are a victim or witness of domestic, sexual or gender-based violence, instant messaging (chat) allows you to chat with a police officer:
At any time, the chat history may be deleted from your computer, mobile phone or tablet.
Victim of violence by a family member
You can speak aloud
Who shall I contact
By phone
Dial 17 in the event of an emergency involving a road accident, a breach of public order or a criminal offense. A team of police or gendarmes will visit the scene.
You can also dial the 112. You will then be directed to the right service according to your case. The 112 can be used in all countries of the.
A call on these numbers is geolocated, identified and prioritized. It does not appear on the invoices.
If the situation is not an emergency, call your police station or gendarmerie brigade.
FYI
Emergency services use a unique number, the 0,800,112,112, for recall people who contacted the emergency services.
This number is free: you will not be charged or overcharged for dropping out. There is no risk in answering this call, it is not spam.
Not to be surprised if it appears on your phone screen, you can add it to your smartphone directory under the name " Emergency services ». This way you will know that you can respond with confidence.
If you are a victim or witness of domestic, sexual or gender-based violence, instant messaging (chat) allows you to chat with a police officer:
At any time, the chat history may be deleted from your computer, mobile phone or tablet.
You can't speak out loud
If you are unable to speak and therefore to call (example: you are a victim of violence by your partner who is in the same room as you), you can send a free SMS to 114.
You will then only communicate in writing with your correspondent.
This service operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
To be able to call emergency services quickly, 114 needs your name, your precise address and the reason for the call.
FYI
Emergency services use a unique number, the 0,800,112,112, for recall people who contacted the emergency services.
This number is free: you will not be charged or overcharged for dropping out. There is no risk in answering this call, it is not spam.
Not to be surprised if it appears on your phone screen, you can add it to your smartphone directory under the name " Emergency services ». This way you will know that you can respond with confidence.
If you are a victim or witness of domestic, sexual or gender-based violence, instant messaging (chat) allows you to chat with a police officer:
At any time, the chat history may be deleted from your computer, mobile phone or tablet.
Physical and psychological abuse can be proven by any means.
You can demonstrate that you have been abused by gathering several elements, including the following:
- Photographs of injuries, damaged objects, etc.
- Medical certificates from a doctor, psychologist, etc.
- Report of a forensic unit
- Exchanges with the author of the facts (email, SMS, etc.)
- Testimony of a person present at the time of the events
- Audio or video recordings
- Handrails or complaints earlier.
All this evidence can be used if you report the facts and/or file a complaint.
It is necessary that these elements are as precise as possible: they must be dated.
As a victim or witness of violence against a minor, you can make a report to the National Hotline for Children at Risk (SNATED).
Moreover, if you are a minor, a reporting service is available to you reserved. It allows you to dialog directly with a police officer or a gendarme trained for this type of infringement.
How to report incidents of violence against minors to SNATED?
You can reach the SNATED by phone, via chat or via an online form.
Who shall I contact
A telephone number for any child or young person who is a victim of violence or anyone who is concerned about a situation of a child in danger or at risk of being so.
By phone
119 (free and confidential call)
24/7
A call on this number is geolocated, identified and prioritized. It does not appear on the invoices.
On the website www.allo119.gouv.fr
- Chat in real time for children under 21 (7 days a week from 3 pm to 9 pm)
- Device in French sign language for deaf and hard of hearing people
This platform is open Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 7 pm and Saturday from 9 am to 12 pm. - Online Collection Form to file a situation if you are an adult
FYI
This service is open to you whatever your age.
Your interlocutor puts you in contact with a child care professional. This professional assesses the situation and helps you.
If it considers that you (or the person for whom you are reporting) are in danger, SNATED notifies the Information of Concern Collection, Assessment and Processing Unit (CRIP).
119 agents can prevent rescue (Police Secours, Samu, etc.). In this case, the CRIP shall be informed.
Warning
If you are a professional involved in child protection (teacher, educator, child welfare officer, child psychiatrist, etc.) and you witness violence against a minor, you must transmit a information of concern à the Cell for the Collection, Evaluation and Processing of Information of Concern (CRIP) or the Public Prosecutor.
What service was reserved for minors to warn law enforcement authorities of acts of violence?
If you are a minor and you are a victim or witness of physical or psychological violence, an instant messaging (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 possibly set an appointment during which he can hear you. They can also 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.
As a victim of physical or psychological violence, you can file a complaint against the perpetrator.
If you are a minor, you can do this alone or accompanied.
When you apply, you can be accompanied by your parents, by the adult of your choice or by a representative of a victims' aid association.
FYI
At the time of filing a complaint, you can constitute a civil party to obtain damages and interest. If you are a minor, these are your legal representatives or a ad hoc administrator who have to do it for you. If you did not file a civil claim at the time of the complaint, you can do so throughout the proceedings, until the day of the hearing.
To file a complaint, you must go to the police station or gendarmerie brigade of your choice. You can also send a letter to public prosecutor the place where the events occurred.
FYI
Your complaint must be filed within a certain period which depends on your age and the type of violence you have experienced.
On site
You can contact a police station or a gendarmerie brigade of your choice.
The complaint is transmitted to the public prosecutor by the police or gendarmerie.
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.
The presence of a lawyer is not required for the filing of complaints and throughout the proceedings until the trial before the court. However, you can get the assistance of a lawyer if you wish.
Who shall I contact
FYI
If you don't have the financial resources to pay for this professional, you can eventually obtain legal aid.
The perpetrator of the violence may be sentenced to a main sentence and to additional penalties. He or she may also be ordered to compensate the victim.
What are the penalties incurred by the perpetrator?
The penalties to which the perpetrator may be sentenced are not the same if the victim is an adult or a minor:
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Major victim
Main penalties
The severity of the penalties depends on the extent of the injuries you have sustained:
Damage suffered by the victim | Penalty incurred |
|---|---|
No injury or injury | €750 of fine |
Total incapacity for work (ITT) of a duration of 8 days or less | €1,500 fine (€3,000 in case of recurrence) |
ITT more than 8 days | 3 years' imprisonment and €45,000 of fine |
Mutilation or permanent disability | 10 years' imprisonment and €150,000 of fine |
Death (the perpetrator did not intend to kill) | 15 years of criminal imprisonment |
FYI
When the perpetrator of the violence has an intention to kill, these acts can be qualified as murder, murder, attempt murder or murder.
The penalties incurred are higher in particular where violence has occurred:
- On a person of a particular vulnerability due to his age, illness, physical or psychological disability, pregnancy, etc.
- On an ascendant (father, mother, etc.)
- On a magistrate, a juror, a lawyer, a notary, a policeman, a gendarme, etc.
- On a teacher or any member of staff working in schools
- On a spouse, a Civil partnership partner or a cohabiting partner
- On his child
- On a witness, a victim or a civil party
- On a discriminatory ground (sex, sexual orientation, membership of a nation or religion, etc.)
- With the use or threat of a weapon
- With premeditation or ambush
- By a person intoxicated or under the influence of drugs.
In these circumstances, the perpetrator of the violence shall be punished by a penalty of 3 of imprisonment and €45,000 at 20 years of criminal imprisonment.
Supplementary penalties
In addition to the main penalty, the perpetrator of the offense is liable to additional penalties. These may include the following sanctions:
- Prohibition to engage in the professional activity in which the offense has been committed
- Prohibition of possession or carrying of a weapon for a period of 5 years or more
- Confiscation of the object used to commit the offense
- Confiscation of the animal used to commit the offense.
Please note
Other additional penalties are incurred in the event of domestic violence or sexual violence.
Minor victim
Depending on the age of the minor victim, the penalties are different:
Victim under the age of 15
Main penalties
The severity of the criminal sanction depends on the type of injury that you've suffered.
Harm suffered | Violence by a third party | Violence by a parent or person with authority over you | Usual violence |
|---|---|---|---|
Inferior inability to work ITT less than or equal to 8 days | 3 years' imprisonment and €45,000 of fine | 5 years' imprisonment and €75,000 of fine | Up to 5 years' imprisonment and €75,000 of fine |
ITT greater than 8 days | 5 years' imprisonment and €75,000 of fine | 10 years' imprisonment and €150,000 of fine | Up to 10 years' imprisonment and €150,000 of fine |
Mutilation or permanent disability | 15 years of imprisonment | 20 years of criminal imprisonment | Up to 20 years in prison |
Death without intent to give it | 20 years of imprisonment | 30 years of imprisonment | Up to 30 years in prison |
FYI
These penalties may be higher when the violence was committed with one or more other aggravating circumstances (e.g. violence committed against a minor under the age of 15 by a person who is intoxicated).
Supplementary penalties
Persons convicted of these offenses may also incur additional penalties (for example: withdrawal of parental authority).
Victim 15 years and older
Main penalties
The severity of the criminal sanction depends on the type of injury that you've suffered.
Harm Suffered | Violence by a third party | Violence by a parent or person with authority over you | Usual violence |
|---|---|---|---|
Inferior Work Incapacity (ITT) less than 8 days | €750 of fine | 3 years' imprisonment and €45,000 of fine | Up to 5 years' imprisonment and €75,000 of fine |
Upper ITT to 8 days | 3 years' imprisonment and €45,000 of fine | 5 years' imprisonment and €75,000 of fine | Up to 10 years' imprisonment and €150,000 of fine |
Mutilation or permanent disability | 10 years' imprisonment and €150,000 of fine | 15 years of criminal imprisonment | Up to 20 years in prison |
Death without intent to give it | 15 years of imprisonment | 20 years of imprisonment | Up to 30 years in prison |
Supplementary penalties
Persons convicted of these offenses may also incur additional penalties (for example: withdrawal of parental authority).
How is the compensation of the victims provided by the perpetrator of the violence?
You can get compensation from the perpetrator if you have civil party.
Reminder
If you are a minor, you cannot bring a civil action alone. These are your legal representatives or a ad hoc administrator who have to do it for you.
If the court orders the perpetrator to pay damages and interest, it must compensate you under the conditions set out in the judgment.
If he cannot fully compensate you, you have the option to seize the compensation commission for victims of crime (Civi).
If he refuses to compensate you, you can apply to the Service d'aide au recouvrement des victimes d'infractions (Sarvi).
Who can help me?
Find who can answer your questions in your region
To get help as a victim of physical or psychological violence
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
To get help as a minor victim or witness of violence against a minor
A telephone number for any child or young person who is a victim of violence or anyone who is concerned about a situation of a child in danger or at risk.
By phone
119 (free and confidential call)
24/7
A call on this number is geolocated, identified and prioritized. It does not appear on the invoices.
On the website www.allo119.gouv.fr
- Chat in real time for children under 21 (7 days a week from 3 pm to 9 pm)
- Device in French sign language for deaf and hard of hearing people
This platform is open Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 7 pm and Saturday from 9 am to 12 pm. - Online Collection Form to file a situation if you are an adult
Penalties for physical or psychological violence
Additional penalties for physical or psychological violence
Withdrawal of parental authority in the event of violence against the child
Penalties in case of violence on major that did not result in any ITT
Sentences in case of violence on major resulting in an ITT of less than 8 days
FAQ
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Ministry of Justice
Guarantee Fund for Victims of Terrorism and Other Offenses (FGTI)