Overview

• The French Senate is currently reviewing a proposed law to criminalize coercive control as a form of domestic abuse, following its adoption by the National Assembly in January 2025.
• If passed, the law would introduce penalties of 3 to 5 years in prison and fines ranging from €45,000 to €75,000, with harsher penalties for aggravated circumstances.
• Coercive control, defined as repeated behaviors infringing on victims' rights and freedoms, is recognized as a precursor to severe outcomes such as feminicide and child harm.
• International precedents, including laws in England, Wales, and Belgium, have informed the proposal, though critics point to low conviction rates and risks of misuse in legal disputes.
• Advocates argue the law would empower judges to intervene earlier in domestic violence cases, addressing systemic abuse before it escalates to physical harm.