Sexual assault committed on an adult
Verified 05 December 2025 - Public Service / Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
Physical contact of a sexual nature was imposed on a person without his consent ? This is a sexual assault. The victim (or witness) of such an act may immediately contact emergency services. At the same time, a report can be made to the relevant officers (police, public transport officer). Then the victim can file a complaint. Associations and professionals (psychiatrists, lawyers, etc.) can help him. Here is the information you need to know.
Warning
This page presents the situation of sexual assault on an adult. If the sexual assault is committed against a victim under the age of 18, applicable rules may be different.
Sexual assault is a sexual act imposed by one person to another person. Ec offense involves a physical contact, of a sexual nature, without penetration (example: caresses, kisses).
Please note
Sexual assault can be retained regardless of the relationship maintained by people who have had sexual contact (a superior, a spouse, etc.)
Sexual assault is characterized when the act of a sexual nature was committed without the consent of the person. However, consent must be both:
- Free and enlightened. Partners must be able to agree (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
- Prior. Consent must have been given prior to any physical contact of a sexual nature
- Revocable. Partners can change their minds.
FYI
Consent cannot be inferred from the victim's silence or lack of reaction alone (for example, if a person caresses the private parts of another person to whom sleeping pills have been administered, this is a non-consensual act).
In addition, the sexual act must take place without coercion, violence, threat or surprise.
Once the act has taken place in these circumstances, it is considered that it was not consensual.
Example :
Sexual assault can be used in the following situations:
- Touching a person before and/or during the act (violent sexual assault)
- Assault of a person who is forcibly detained in a closed place but not beaten (sexual assault with physical restraint)
- Harassment imposed on a worker by his supervisor, in particular as a result of sexual harassment (sexual assault with moral compulsion)
- Assaulting a person by an assailant with a weapon (threatened sexual assault)
- Molestation of a sleeping person (surprise sexual assault).
FYI
The sexual nature of a gesture can be retained depending on the part of the body affected (thighs, buttocks, sex, mouth, chest). However, the judges consider also the manner and context in which the events took place.
Alert the emergency services of the commission of a sexual assault
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:
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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 sexual assault 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.
Reporting a sexual assault to public transit officers
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 victim of sexual assault may file a complaint against the perpetrator of the infringement, within 6 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.
Presentation of the victim of a sexual assault to a specialized doctor
Following a complaint of sexual assault, 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 can also look for any traces of drugs that may have been delivered by the perpetrator.
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 and to bring all medical documents related to the facts (example: medical certificate of a attending physician).
Initiation of a sexual assault 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. It has 4 options:
- He can pronounce a alternative measure to prosecution
- He can seize the correctional court so that the case can be tried directly
- If the facts are complex (for example, there are several perpetrators or accomplices), he can seize the investigating judge so he can open a judicial information
- He can 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.
Judgment of the alleged perpetrator of the sexual assault
A person who is alleged to have committed a sexual assault is tried by the correctional court.
FYI
If the alleged perpetrator is a minor, juvenile courts which are competent.
In principle, trials before the correctional court are public: anyone can attend the hearings.
Nevertheless, the court may order a in camera hearing if it considers that a public trial may impair the serenity of debates, the dignity of the victim or the interests of other persons.
A person who sexually assaults (or attempts to sexually assault) is liable to main sentence the seriousness of which depends on the circumstances in which the offense has been committed.
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General case
A person who commits a sexual assault is liable to a penalty of up to 5 years of imprisonment and €75,000 of fine.
This penalty may be increased to 7 years of imprisonment and €100,000 of fine when the sexual assault is accompanied by the following aggravating circumstances:
- Assault resulting in injury, injury or total incapacity for work greater than 8 days
- Assault committed by a person who abuses the authority conferred on him by his duties (police officer, judge, etc.)
- Assault by several persons acting as co-authors or accomplices
- Assault committed on a health professional (doctor, nurse, etc.) during the exercise of his activity
- Assault committed with the use or threat of use of a weapon
- Assault committed on a person engaged in prostitution, including occasionally
- Assault by a ascending or a person with authority over the victim (employer, teacher, etc.)
- Assault committed by a person who has been brought into contact with the victim through a online communication service
- Assault committed by the person with whom the victim is married, past or cohabiting
- Assault committed by a person who was under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Assault committed while the victim was drugged without his knowledge so that she could not understand what was happening to her or control her actions
- Assault committed in front of a minor.
Assault on a particularly vulnerable person
When the perpetrator of the sexual assault is aware that the victim is a particularly vulnerable person (due to age, illness, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, complex financial situation, etc.), he or she shall be liable to 7 years of imprisonment and €100,000 of fine.
This penalty may be increased to 10 years' imprisonment and €150,000 of fine where the assault is committed in the following circumstances:
- Assault resulting in injury
- Assault by a ascending or a person with authority over the victim (for example, a supervisor)
- Assault committed by a person who abuses the authority of his or her position (for example, a police officer)
- Assault by several persons acting as co-authors or accomplices
- Assault committed with the use or threat of a weapon
- Assault committed by a person acting while intoxicated or under the influence of drugs
- Assault committed on a person who was drugged without his knowledge so that he could not understand what was happening to him or control his actions.
FYI
The perpetrator of a sexual assault may also be sentenced to additional penalties such as a socio-judicial monitoring or a prohibition from exercising the professional activity in which the offense has been committed.
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.
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
Definition of sexual assault
Penalties and punishment for attempted sexual assault
Additional penalties for sexual assault
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