{"id":1782,"date":"2024-07-03T11:19:39","date_gmt":"2024-07-03T09:19:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.loispamelalesot.com\/2024\/07\/03\/l-audition-libre-du-temoin-copy\/"},"modified":"2024-07-03T11:36:36","modified_gmt":"2024-07-03T09:36:36","slug":"l-agression-sexuelle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.loispamelalesot.com\/en\/2024\/07\/03\/l-agression-sexuelle\/","title":{"rendered":"Sexual Assault"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Sexual Assault<\/h1>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Sexual assault, as defined by Article 222-22 of the French Criminal Code<\/a>, is a criminal offence defined as \"any sexual act committed through violence, coercion, threat or surprise or, in the cases provided for by law, committed by an adult against a minor<\/em>.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sexual assault is punishable by five years' imprisonment and a \u20ac75,000 fine<\/strong> (Article 222-27 of the French Criminal Code<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. A Sexual Act<\/strong> <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Sexual assault requires physical contact of a sexual nature, such as unwanted touching, fondling or other non-consensual sexual contact. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Where the act involves sexual penetration, however, the offence constitutes rape rather than sexual assault. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    For more information about rape, see our article on rape<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    1. Lack of Consent<\/strong> <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      Sexual assault involves an act imposed on the victim without their consent.\nThe absence of consent results from the use of violence, coercion, threats or surprise by the perpetrator. Violence and coercion may be either physical or psychological. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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      1. Intent to Commit Sexual Assault<\/strong> <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

        Sexual assault is an intentional offence. The perpetrator must have intended both to commit the sexual act and to impose it on a victim without that person's consent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n


        Limitation Periods<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        A victim of sexual assault has six years from the date of the offence to file a criminal complaint. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Where the victim was over the age of 15 but still a minor, the limitation period is extended to 10 years from the victim's 18th birthday. Accordingly, a victim aged between 15 and 18 at the time of the offence may file a complaint until the age of 28. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Where the victim was under the age of 15, the limitation period is extended to 20 years from the victim's 18th birthday. In that case, the victim may file a complaint until the age of 38. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Penalties <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Sexual assault is punishable by five years' imprisonment and a \u20ac75,000 fine<\/strong> (Article 222-27 of the French Criminal Code<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Aggravating Circumstances <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        The offence is punishable by seven years' imprisonment and a \u20ac75,000 fine where one or more aggravating circumstances apply, including where: <\/p>\n\n\n\n