Figures that send shivers down your spine. On Wednesday 3 April 2024, the Institute of Public Policy published a study on the judicial treatment of sexual and domestic violence in France, based on 2012-2021 data from the Cassiopée system used for the seizure, registration and processing of criminal records. While the number of cases handled by the courts has increased significantly since 2017, the prosecution rate remains extremely low.
86% of sexual assault complaints were rejected
If for other criminal crimes (which also record a high rate of dismissals), the main legal difficulty lies in not knowing the perpetrator, for sexual and domestic violence the situation is different. According to the IPP note, cases of sexual and domestic violence “are classified primarily on the basis of lack of evidence, even if the author is often known and identified. »
Therefore, 86% of sexual assault complaints and 72% of domestic violence complaints are rejected. Additionally, the percentage of rapes classified increased from 86% in 2016 to 2016 94% in 2020.
Between 2012 and 2021, sexual and domestic violence accounted for approximately one million cases overall, or 4% of all criminal cases concluded in this period (dismissed or continued in criminal court or juvenile criminal court).
An increase in reports
The study also finds a increase in reportswhich coincides with the post-#MeToo free speech movement of 2017, with the Grenelle on domestic violence two years later and with the circulation of numerous circulars addressed to magistrates, according to the author of the report, Maëlle Stricot.
While public authorities encourage victims to file complaints, “the resulting legal treatment constitutes an important issue for public policies”, claims Maëlle Stricot. According to the study data, for sexual violence the perpetrator was prosecuted in 14% of cases and found guilty in 13% of cases, while only 11% of cases resulted in a prison sentence. The study, however, finds a tightening of prison sentences incurred by the perpetrators, going from 5.4 months on average in 2012 to 8 months in 2021.
The sentences delivered are average 6.8 months for sexual harassment cases, 19.6 months for sexual violence and 29.6 months for rape.
If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, or simply wants to learn more about the topic:
- 3919 and the government website Let’s stop THE violence
- Our practical article My boyfriend hit me: how to react, what to do when you are a victim of violence in your relationship?
- The association Forward and its help chat available on How do we love each other?
Listen to Laisse-moi kiffer, Madmoizelle’s cultural advice podcast.
Source: Madmoizelle
Mary Crossley is an author at “The Fashion Vibes”. She is a seasoned journalist who is dedicated to delivering the latest news to her readers. With a keen sense of what’s important, Mary covers a wide range of topics, from politics to lifestyle and everything in between.
