Child sex abuse in France - statistics & facts
Considered one of the worst crimes that can be committed, child abuse is nevertheless still common: in France, in 2020, more than 39,400 minors were victims of sexual violence. Incest, punishable under French law, but only indirectly (it is considered an aggravating circumstance in sexual offenses such as rape or sexual assault), is also widespread. In 2023, it was estimated that approximately one in ten French people had been subjected to incest in their lifetime.
Whether the violence is an isolated incident or a recurring pattern, the resulting trauma for survivors often remains equally severe, affecting every aspect of life: sexual, psychological, social, familial, occupational, and physical domains. Moreover, the victims have a higher risk of experiencing depression, anxiety, and attempting to end their lives. Finally, an important share of victims of sexual violence during childhood suffer again from sexual aggression as adults.
Victims and psychological consequences
When discussing child sex abuse, it is crucial to recognize that while boys are also victims, the overwhelming majority are girls. This trend is pronounced in cases of sexual assault, rape, incest, and child pornography. However, numbers fluctuate depending on the context of the assault, the recurrence, and the age of the victim.Whether the violence is an isolated incident or a recurring pattern, the resulting trauma for survivors often remains equally severe, affecting every aspect of life: sexual, psychological, social, familial, occupational, and physical domains. Moreover, the victims have a higher risk of experiencing depression, anxiety, and attempting to end their lives. Finally, an important share of victims of sexual violence during childhood suffer again from sexual aggression as adults.
