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Gender-based and sexual violence is prohibited and punishable by law

Blackmail, humiliation, insults, blows... Women victims of violence can contact 3919. Free and anonymous, this telephone number is now accessible 24/7. The platform for listening to victims of conjugal, sexist and sexual violence has therefore been reachable without interruption since August 30, 2021.

The 3919 Violence Femmes Info is the national reference number for women victims of violence (conjugal, sexual, psychological, forced marriages, sexual mutilation, harassment...). It provides a listening ear, information and referrals to support and care services. The number guarantees callers anonymity, but is not an emergency number like 17, for example, which can be used to call the police or gendarmerie in the event of immediate danger.

The 3919 number, supported by the Ministry for Women's Rights and managed by the "Fédération nationale solidarité femmes", relies on a partnership with the main national associations fighting violence against women.

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Harassment

Harassment is the repetition of words and behavior with the aim or effect of degrading the victim's living conditions. This results in consequences for the physical or mental health of the person harassed.

The law punishes all forms of harassment, taking into account the frequency and content of the acts.

These include the following acts:

• Vexatious acts or remarks
• Threats
• Unsulting or obscene remarks
• Malicious telephone calls, SMS messages or e-mails
• Visits to the home or visits to the workplace

Harassment occurs regardless of the relationship between perpetrator and victim: work colleagues, neighbors, students at the same school, married or unmarried couples...

• Telephone harassment

Repeated malicious phone calls or SMS messages are tantamount to harassment. It is an offence punishable by law. If you are a victim of telephone harassment, you can report it to the police or gendarmerie. You can also lodge a complaint against the perpetrator. Evidence of harassment must be collected.

• Moral harassment at work

Moral harassment is a crime. It leads to the deterioration of working conditions. It is punishable in both the private and public sectors. The law provides protection for employees, civil servants and trainees.

• Sexual harassment

If you are a victim of sexual harassment, you can lodge a complaint against the alleged perpetrator, as this is an offence (an act prohibited by law and subject to criminal penalties punishable by law). If the incident occurred at work, you may be entitled to specific protection from your employer and the authorities.

• Cyber-harassment (harassment on the Internet)

Harassment via the Internet (e-mails, social networks...) is called cyber-harassment. It is a crime (an act prohibited by law and punishable by a fine and/or imprisonment of up to 10 years). If you are a victim of this type of harassment, you can ask the author or the person responsible for the electronic medium to remove the publications. You can also make an online report to the police or gendarmerie, or lodge a complaint. This offence is punishable by fines and/or imprisonment. Penalties are more severe if the victim is under 15 years of age.

(Source: Service-Public.fr website / Harassment)

Sexistist or sexual contempt

Sexist contempt consists in imposing on a person a comment or behavior with sexual or sexist connotations, which undermines their dignity or exposes them to a distressing situation. It is an offence punishable by a fine of up to €750. If you are a victim of sexist contempt, you can alert the police and gendarmerie and lodge a complaint against the perpetrator.

Student parties, WEI, festive events

Organization, risk prevention (alcoholism, hazing, sexist and sexual violence)

• Guide to student festive and integration events

It aims to support organizations creating festive events and (future) participants on risk awareness, and present examples of actions and the legal framework.

• Fact sheet for victims and witnesses of sexist and sexual violence