Study Reveals Sexist and Sexual Violence in France’s Judicial System

A survey of magistrates highlights widespread misconduct, with most cases involving male perpetrators and female victims, often in hierarchical relationships.

An investigation by the Syndicat de la Magistrature found that 9.14% of surveyed magistrates reported experiencing sexist or sexual violence, and 14.8% reported witnessing such incidents.
The study documented behaviors including forced kisses, inappropriate touching, and harassment, often occurring in professional settings like courtrooms and offices.
Over 70% of alleged perpetrators held positions of authority over the victims, emphasizing a power imbalance in these incidents.
Victims were predominantly women (82.5%), while 91.6% of identified perpetrators were men, reflecting a gendered pattern in these cases.
The Syndicat de la Magistrature recommends enhanced training, dedicated reporting mechanisms, and internal procedures to address and prevent future misconduct.