Today, the French National Assembly opens debate on a historic comprehensive bill, or loi intégrale, against sexist and sexual violence.
Women for Women France’s position on the bill entering debate
“Tourists, visitors, international students, refugees, diplomats, immigrants, corporate expats… the loi intégrale bill has sent us a clear message: our lives, and the lives of our children, do not deserve France’s protection if we become victims of violence while we are here.” - Sarah McGrath, Chief Executive of Women for Women France
Women for Women France thanks the many French MPs from across the political spectrum, as well as members of the “Feminist Coalition”, who supported our report and our amendment recommendations to add the criminalisation of coercive control, administrative abuse and economic abuse to the bill.
While the detail of these provisions still requires significant rework to be effective, the possibility that these forms of violence will finally become illegal in France is long overdue and welcomed.
However, all the other factors that make this text a historic widening of the gap between the rights of French and non-French victims of sexist violence have not been addressed: in particular, language accessibility, as well as linking access to support and the ability to leave a violent partner to the type of visa or residence permit victims hold, or even to their specific nationalities.
WFWF considers that, as it stands, the bill is incompatible with France’s obligations under the Istanbul Convention (the Council of Europe treaty on violence against women and domestic violence) regarding the obligation to protect foreign-born women. France ratified the Convention in 2014 and is required to comply with it.
Where do we go from here?
There is still time to add the full suite of amendments recommended in the Women for Women France report.
Women for Women France’s recommendations remain current, and our amendments can still be defended and adopted during the public debate.
We call on MPs to continue this work in order to guarantee the protection of all women and all children, regardless of their immigration status or nationality.
Further reading
Op-ed in Le Monde by our Chief Executive 28 September 2026: Loi intégrale contre les violences sexistes et sexuelles : « Les femmes étrangères n’ont absolument pas été prises en compte dans le texte de loi »
Media
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If you are writing about domestic abuse, please consider including resources for victims in your article:
- Emergency services (police, ambulance, fire): 112 (24/7)
- Multilingual Online Resource Centre for victims of domestic abuse and gender-based violence: www.womenforwomenfrance.org (24/7)
- Helpline for victims of domestic abuse and gender-based violence: 3919 (24/7)
Keep up-to-date
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About WFWF
Women for Women France is the NGO dedicated to supporting and defending the rights of immigrants experiencing domestic abuse and gender-based violence in France.
WFWF is the creator and manager of the national Online Multilingual Online Resource Centre for all people confronted with domestic abuse and gender-based violence in France.
WFWF has a team of multi-disciplinary experts in France who monitor current events and laws and provide research-based insights and recommendations.