France announces 1.5 billion euros to combat sexual and gender-based violence

French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has announced a multi-year financial plan to combat gender-based and sexual violence. The 2027 budget includes a base of approximately 1.5 billion euros allocated across State and Social Security budgets, supplemented by 2.6 billion euros dedicated to child protection.

These funds are intended to support the upcoming ‘loi intégrale’ (comprehensive law), which consists of 69 articles. The legislation aims to address the entire spectrum of violence, including prevention, investigation, justice, and victim support. Key proposals include the creation of specialized jurisdictions for sexual and domestic violence, mandatory victim and suspect hearings, and the establishment of victim centers in every department. The law also seeks to create a specific crime of incest with reinforced penalties.

However, the announcement has met with criticism from advocacy groups and local officials. Some associations argue that the proposed amounts are insufficient to implement the law’s requirements. In La Réunion, departmental counselor Brigitte Adame has questioned how these funds will be effectively deployed in local schools, sports organizations, and child protection services, emphasizing the need for early prevention rather than reactive measures.