Rape of an adult
Verified 02 December 2025 - Public Service / Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
If a person has experienced an act of non-consensual sexual penetration, it is a rape. The victim (or witness) of such an act may contact emergency services to get fast support. At the same time, a reporting can be done to the competent agents (police, public transport agent). Subsequently, the victim can lodge a complaint. Organizations (e.g. association) and professionals (e.g. psychiatrist, lawyer) can help. Here is the information you need to know.
Warning
This page presents the situation of rape on an adult. If the rape is committed against a victim under the age of 18, applicable rules are different.
Rape is defined as any act of sexual penetration or any oral-genital or oral-anal act, not consented to, committed against another person or against the person of the author. Ec crime can be regardless of the relationship of the people who have had sex.
Example :
When a man imposes an act of sexual penetration on his wife, it is rape of the wife. Furthermore, if a woman performs fellatio on a man without his consent, it is rape on the man.
During sexual intercourse, partners should always seek consent of the other person. Consent must be:
- Free and informed. Partners must be able to give their consent (for example, without being drunk) and must consent to the act without any form of pressure.
- Specific. Partners can consent to a sexual act without agreeing to another act.
- Prerequisite. Consent must have been given prior to sexual intercourse.
- Revocable. Partners can withdraw their consent even if they have already agreed to sexual intercourse.
FYI
Consent cannot be inferred from the victim's silence or lack of reaction alone (for example, sexual intercourse with a person who has been given sleeping pills is a non-consensual act).
Moreover, the act of sexual penetration, the oral-genital or oral-anal act must take place without coercion, violence, threat or surprise.
As soon as sexual intercourse occurs in these conditions, we consider that it was not consensual.
Example :
Rape may be retained in the following situations:
- Act of sexual penetration imposed on a person beaten before and/or during the act (violent rape)
- An act of sexual penetration imposed on a person who is forcibly detained in a closed place but not beaten (rape with physical restraint)
- Act of sexual penetration imposed on a worker by his supervisor, in particular following a sexual harassment (rape with moral compulsion)
- An act of sexual penetration imposed on a person by an abuser who threatens to attack the victim's family if they do not do what they say (rape with threat)
- An act of sexual penetration committed on a sleeping person (rape with surprise).
Alerting emergency services to the occurrence of rape
Victims or witnesses of sexual violence (rape, sexual assault, etc.) can call for help to obtain prompt treatment.
The means of contacting emergency services are adapted to his personal situation:
Répondez aux questions successives et les réponses s’afficheront automatiquement
General case
The victim or witness of sexual violence may contact:
- The Samu by composing the 15
- Police-Rescue by dialing 17.
Who shall I contact
Samu - 15
For medical emergencies
By phone
15
Free call from a landline and mobile in metropolitan France and overseas
Operates 24/7
Who shall I contact
Police rescue - 17 (by phone)
By phone
Dial it 17 in the event of an emergency involving a road accident, a disturbance 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 European Union countries.
A call on these numbers is geolocated, identified and prioritized. It doesn't appear on the bills.
If the situation is not an emergency, call your police station or gendarmerie brigade.
If the victim or witness is in a different state of the European Union, it may contact the European emergency service by dialing 112.
Who shall I contact
European emergency number - 112
112
Emergency number to use for a call from a European country or from a mobile phone
24/7
Free call
FYI
112 officers can speak in French or English.
Deaf, hard of hearing, deaf-blind or aphasic person
The victim or witness of a sexual assault may send an SMS to 114.
Thus, it will communicate only in writing with the 114 agents.
These officers will manage the alert in direct connection with the nearest emergency service.
This service is free and works 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
To be able to quickly intervene, 114 needs:
- From the name of his interlocutor
- From his precise address
- The reason for the appeal.
Victim of violence by a family member (spouse, parent, etc.)
The means of contacting the emergency services depend on the situation of the victim:
Ability to speak aloud
Victims of sexual violence may contact:
- The Samu by composing the 15
- Police-Rescue by dialing 17.
Who shall I contact
Samu - 15
For medical emergencies
By phone
15
Free call from a landline and mobile in metropolitan France and overseas
Operates 24/7
Who shall I contact
Police rescue - 17 (by phone)
By phone
Dial it 17 in the event of an emergency involving a road accident, a disturbance 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 European Union countries.
A call on these numbers is geolocated, identified and prioritized. It doesn't appear on the bills.
If the situation is not an emergency, call your police station or gendarmerie brigade.
If the victim or witness is in a different state of the European Union, it may contact the European emergency service by dialing 112.
Who shall I contact
European emergency number - 112
112
Emergency number to use for a call from a European country or from a mobile phone
24/7
Free call
FYI
112 officers can speak in French or English.
Inability to speak aloud
If the victim does not have the opportunity to speak aloud (for example, the perpetrator of the sexual violence is in the same room as the victim), the victim may send an SMS to 114.
Thus, it will communicate only in writing with the 114 agents.
These officers will manage the alert in direct connection with the nearest emergency service.
This service is free and works 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
To be able to quickly intervene, 114 needs:
- From the name of his interlocutor
- From his precise address
- The reason for the appeal.
The victim can also go to the hospital of his choice.
In Paris, victims of sexual violence can report to a health facility. AP-HP: titleContent to be examined by a doctor and gather as much evidence as possible, without filing a complaint.
When a person comes to an AP-HP hospital and says they have been sexually abused but don't want to file a complaint, they can receive emergency care.
With her consent, she can be redirected to the Women's House, where she will be examined by a midwife and a medical examiner. the forensic unit. She will also benefit from a consultation with a psychologist.
If the medical examiner considers it necessary, DNA samples will be taken. They will be kept for 3 years.
The doctor's findings and the samples taken will prove the assault suffered, if the victim wishes to file a complaint later.
Report rape to police or gendarmerie
Instant messaging (chat) allows the victim or witness of sexual violence (rape, sexual assault, etc.) to interact with a police officer or gendarme specially trained for this type of abuseinfringement. This professional assists the reporting person in his/her efforts and can guide the victim who wishes to file a complaint.
Warning
Reporting is not a complaint. If the victim wishes to have proceedings brought against the alleged perpetrator, he or she must lodge a complaint.
Report domestic, sexual or gender-based violence
At any time, the chat history can be deleted from the computer, mobile phone or tablet of the reporting provider.
FYI
At the end of the interview with the policeman or gendarme, the victim may request an appointment with a police station or a gendarmerie brigade to file a complaint. She also has the option of asking to be heard by a person of the same sex.
Report rape to public transit officials
Victims or witnesses of sexual violence (rape, assault) on public transport (train, bus, metro, etc.) can obtain assistance from an officer SNCF: titleContent or RATP: titleContent by:
- Contacting the 3117
- Sending an SMS to 31177
- Downloading the application ‘Alert 3117’. This application allows you to geolocate in real time.
These services are open 7 days a week and 24 hours a day.
It is also possible to ask for help from an agent present at the station or station.
By contacting these agents, the victim or witness will facilitate the intervention of the emergency services and/or the security teams of the SNCF or the RATP.
Several organizations (e.g. Victim Support Association) and professionals (psychologists, psychiatrists, etc.) are available to victims to listen to, advise and support them.
The site Victim JourneyVictim journeys (physical, sexual or psychological violence) provides information on structures that can help victims of sexual violence.
Victims may also contact one of the following organizations:
Who shall I contact
Violence Women Info - 3919
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
116 006 - Victim Assistance Number
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 available every day of the year, from 9am to 8pm (Paris time).
By email
By email: victimes@116006.fr
FYI
Exchanges with these organizations are confidential.
Finally, victims who wish to take legal action may request the assistance of a lawyer. This professional will accompany them throughout the procedure.
Who shall I contact
Please note
If the victim does not have the financial resources to pay the lawyer's fees, he or she may application for legal aid.
A rape victim may file a complaint against the perpetrator of the rape infringement, within 20 years from the commission of the facts.
Please note
At the time of filing a complaint, it is recommended to bring all elements that demonstrate the offense suffered and that allow to identify the perpetrator of these facts (SMS, testimonies, photographs of the aggressor, video, etc.).
To lodge a complaint, the victim can go directly to the police station or the gendarmerie brigade of his choice. It also has the possibility to send a letter to the public prosecutor of the place where the events occurred.
Reminder
When the victim has already reported the incident to the police, it is possible that she made an appointment at a police station or gendarmerie brigade to file a complaint. In this case, she must go to the appointment set by the officer to whom the report was made.
On site
The victim may move to the police station or gendarmerie brigade of his choice.
By post
To file a complaint with the public prosecutor, the victim must send a letter to court of the place of the offense or of the domicile of the offender.
Who shall I contact
The letter must specify the following:
- Civil 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 the victim knows 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
- Evidence documents: medical certificates, work stoppages, photographs, videos, various invoices, etc.
It is possible to use a mail template:
File a complaint with the public prosecutor
The complaint can be sent by registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt (preferably), by simple letter or by followed letter.
It can also be deposited directly at the reception of the court.
In any case, a receipt is sent to the victim as soon as the public prosecutor's office has registered the complaint.
FYI
During the complaint, the victim may constitute a civil party to obtain damages and interest.
After the complaint, the victim is presented to a specialist doctor who notes his injuries. Then the procedure begins: an investigation and investigation take place and may lead to the judgment of the alleged perpetrator.
The time between the filing of the complaint and the judgment may be long. It is therefore advisable to be surrounded and supported, in particular by professionals (psychologist, victim support association, etc.).
Presentation of the rape victim to a specialist doctor
Following a complaint of rape, the police officer or constable may ask a specialized doctor to examine the victim within a forensic unit (UMJ).
This doctor will check for any injuries and look for DNA. It may also search for any traces of drugs allegedly dispensed by the rapist.
An AIDS test and, if necessary, a pregnancy test may be performed
At the end of the medical examination, the doctor must issue a medical certificate to the victim. This document indicates the lesions sustained. It serves as evidence against the perpetrator.
Please note
It is recommended that the victim keep the clothes she was wearing when the offense, avoid showering and bring all medical documents related to the facts (example: medical certificate of a attending physician).
Initiation of a rape investigation
During the investigation, the police are looking for all the elements to establish the truth.
The alleged perpetrator can be immediately arrested (if the victim has been able to identify him). He may also be summoned later to be heard by the police or the gendarmerie.
FYI
Investigators can receive the victim at the same time as the alleged perpetrator to hear their 2 versions. During this confrontation, each part may be assisted by a lawyer.
The length of the investigation varies depending on the complexity of the case. It leads to the referral of the public prosecutor.
The public prosecutor decides on the follow-up to the case: he may refer the case to the investigating judge so he can open a judicial information or close the case without further action.
FYI
In the event of a dismissal, the victim can directly bring an action before the investigating judge by filing a civil suit.
Opening of a judicial inquiry for rape
The judicial information (or instruction) allows to gathering evidence, search for authors of infringements and d'establish the truth in a criminal case.
If the victim has previously filed a civil suit, she has different rights during the investigation (example: accessing the folder).
During the investigation, she may be heard several times by investigating judge.
Judicial information can last up to 18 months. When the case is ready for trial and the investigating judge considers that there is sufficient evidence to consider rape, the case shall be remitted before a Court of Assize or before a Criminal Court.
FYI
If the alleged perpetrator is a minor, the case will be referred to the juvenile court (under 16 years of age) or before the court of assizes for minors (minor over 16 years).
Judgment of the alleged perpetrator of rape
In principle, the alleged perpetrator is tried by the criminal court.
However, if the rape was committed with aggravating circumstances (e.g., rape at gunpoint) or the alleged perpetrator is recurrence status, the trial shall take place before the Assize Court.
Reminder
If the alleged perpetrator is a minor, juvenile courts which are competent.
In principle, trials before the Assize Court and the Criminal Court are public: anyone can attend the hearings.
FYI
Even if the trial is public, audio or video recordings are not permitted. The use of cameras is also prohibited. In the event of non-compliance with these rules, a fine of €18,000 may be pronounced by the court.
If the victim wishes the trial takes place without public, it may request a hearing at in camera.
Please note
The victim or his lawyer can make this request orally, before the debates.
The court is obliged to accept this request. Once the court orders a closed session, only those involved in the case (victims, accused, lawyers, witnesses, etc.) can access the courtroom.
The perpetrator of a rape (or attempt of rape) shall be punished by criminal imprisonment and additional penalties. When it is declared irresponsible criminally, specific sanctions shall apply.
Warning
Conviction for rape is listed in criminal record of the convicted person. His name is on the index of perpetrators of sexual and violent offenses (Fijais).
General case
The perpetrator of a rape is liable to main sentence and additional penalties.
Main sentence
In principle, the penalty for rape is equal to 15 years of criminal imprisonment.
This penalty may be increased to 20 years of imprisonment in the following cases:
- Rape resulted in mutilation or permanent disability
- The acts were committed while the victim was particularly vulnerable due to a disability, illness, pregnancy or complicated financial situation
- The acts were committed by a ascending, a person having authority over the victim (teacher, employer, etc.) or a person abusing the authority entrusted to him by his duties (e.g. a police officer)
- The rape was committed by several persons acting as co-authors or accomplices
- The perpetrator was armed
- The rape was committed by an individual who was brought into contact with the victim through a online communication service
- The perpetrator raped several people and has not yet been tried for the other rapes
- The perpetrator is the person with whom the victim is married, in a past or in a cohabiting relationship
- The perpetrator of the rape was intoxicated or under the influence of drugs at the time of the incident
- The rape was committed against a person engaged in prostitution, including on an occasional basis
- When a minor was present at the time of the crime
- The victim was drugged without her knowledge so that she could not understand what was happening to her or control her actions.
The penalty incurred is 30 years of imprisonment if the rape resulted in the death of the victim.
FYI
If the perpetrator of the rape is a minor, the minority excuse. Thus, his sentence can be reduced by half compared to adults.
Additional penalties
The judge may also sentence the perpetrator to one or more of the additional penalties, including:
- Socio-judicial monitoring (whether or not accompanied by injunction for care)
- Prohibition of stay in certain places (e.g. the victim's home) for 10 years maximum
- Prohibition from holding a public office or professional activity in which the offense has been committed.
Perpetrator irresponsible criminally
The perpetrator of a rape, declared criminally irresponsible because of a temporary disorder caused by excessive drug use, can be convicted for such use.
Sentences differ depending on the circumstances in which the rape occurred:
General case
The applicable penalty is 7 years imprisonment and €100,000 of fine.
Rape with torture or barbarity, or resulting in death
A person who commits rape accompanied by torture or causing death shall be liable to a penalty of 10 years imprisonment and €150,000 of fine.
In order to obtain compensation, the victim may bring a civil action. The constitution of civil party can take place from the filing of complaint, until the day of the trial.
It can also make a Claim for compensation from the Victims Guarantee Fund (FGTI) through the Commission for Compensation of Victims of Crime (Civi).
If the victim does not wish to be party to the trial criminal, it has the possibility of bring an action for damages before the civil courts.
In order to obtain compensation, the victim may bring a civil action. The constitution of civil party can take place from the filing of the complaint, until the day of the hearing of judgment.
It can also make a Claim for compensation from the Victims Guarantee Fund (FGTI) through the Commission for Compensation of Victims of Crime (Civi).
If the victim does not wish to be party to the trial criminal, it has the possibility of bring an action for damages before the civil courts.
Who can help me?
Find who can answer your questions in your region
To be supported and helped in its administrative procedures
116 006 - Victim Assistance Number
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 available every day of the year, from 9am to 8pm (Paris time).
By email
By email: victimes@116006.fr
To be assisted in legal proceedings
LawyerTo obtain compensation from the ITGF
Guarantee Fund for Victims of Terrorist Acts and Other Crimes
Compensate victims of acts of terrorism and other offenses.
By phone
+33 (0)1 43 98 77 00
By mail
Access to contact form
By post
64 Defrance Street
94682 Vincennes Cedex
By fax
+33 (0)1 43 65 46 38
Incorporating consent into the definition of sexual violence
Definition of rape and main penalties incurred
Additional penalties for rape
Advertising of debates and request for a closed session
Online service
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Ministry of Justice
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