A chilling new report from France has revealed the alarming scale of violence targeting women, painting a picture of a crisis that is escalating despite government promises. The Ministerial Mission for the Protection of Women (Miprof), in its 2024 annual report, published data so stark it has sparked nationwide protests and calls for immediate action.
🔎 By the Numbers: A Harrowing Timeline of Violence
The report, compiled by the National Observatory on Violence Against Women and featured in Le Monde, breaks down the brutality into a devastating timeline:
A Woman Killed or Targeted Every 7 Hours: A woman is murdered, or an attempt is made on her life, or she is driven to suicide by a current or former partner.
A Sexual Assault Every 2 Minutes: A woman is raped, or faces attempted rape or sexual assault.
Harassment Every 23 Seconds: An instance of sexual harassment or inappropriate behavior is recorded against a woman.
📈 A Disturbing Upward Trend
Beyond the relentless daily frequency, the official data shows a worrying increase in the severity of the violence:
A 11% rise in femicides between 2023 and 2024.
107 women were killed by their partners.
270 women survived attempted murders.
A total of 1,283 women were victims of domestic violence in 2024, up from 1,196 the previous year.
🗣️ A Cry of "Enough!"
In response to these staggering figures, women's rights groups have called for widespread marches across France, including in Paris, Lille, Lyon, and Bordeaux. Their demand is clear: denounce the surge in violence and push for a real, effective national policy. Their rallying cry is: "The time for warnings is over... It's time for action."
⚖️ A Crisis of Trust and Impunity
The situation is further exacerbated by a recent scandal that has shaken public confidence, involving police officers accused of rape inside a courthouse cell.
Suzy Rojtman, spokesperson for the National Collective for Women's Rights (which includes 60 organizations), captured the public frustration: "Police officers are being accused of rape today, femicides within homes are increasing, and yet we still lack a clear national plan to combat sexual violence and discrimination in universities."
Women's organizations are critical of systemic failures, citing:
Chronic underfunding of support programs.
A pervasive culture of "impunity for perpetrators."
The frequent dismissal of complaints filed by victims, further silencing them and eroding trust in the system.
🚫 The Tip of the Iceberg
Perhaps the most sobering part of the report is its final note: these shocking statistics only reflect violence within romantic relationships. They do not account for the full picture of violence against women in French society. This means the true number of women affected is far greater, revealing a crisis even more profound and widespread than the numbers suggest.
In conclusion, this report is more than a collection of statistics; it is a stark warning and a desperate plea for a fundamental shift—from promises to tangible action—to protect the lives and safety of women in France.