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France’s Ambitious Anti‑Sexual Violence Bill Faces Tests Over Money and Capacity

Passage into the National Assembly shifts debate from broad goals to contested clauses, funding needs and practical rollout that will decide if the text can be implemented.

Overview

  • The bill returned to the political forefront after the high‑profile rape and murder of 11‑year‑old Lyhanna and now sits in the National Assembly with sponsorship from over 240 deputies and input from roughly 200 associations.
  • Lawmakers aim for a 360‑degree overhaul covering prevention, detection, victim support and sanctions across justice, health, police, schools, workplaces and online spaces.
  • Political consensus is fraying over specific provisions, with Article 62 — which would limit removal orders for some foreign complainants — provoking dozens of amendments and vocal criticism that a complaint is not proof.
  • Practical compromises have already appeared in committee work, notably making the annual individual school interview optional and phasing its nationwide rollout to 2032 because recruitment and training are lacking.
  • Associations demand €3 billion a year to fund the plan while ministers promise to budget adopted measures, yet officials warn the state lacks trained magistrates, investigators, caregivers and specialized police units to operate the law at full scale.