Femicide on the Rise in France: 111 Women Killed by Partners or Ex-Partners in 2025

France has witnessed a concerning rise in femicides and domestic violence deaths in 2025. According to data released by the Ministry of the Interior on October 14, 111 women were killed by their current or former partners, marking a 4% increase compared to the previous year. Overall, 136 violent deaths within couples were recorded, including 25 men, reflecting a 19% decrease in male victims.

The report highlights an average of one death every three days due to domestic violence, underscoring the persistent severity of the issue. In total, there were 435 recorded attempts of homicide within couples during 2025. Most femicides—76%—occurred at the victim's or perpetrator's home. Among the weapons involved, knives accounted for 52 incidents and firearms for 30.

Contextually, 26% of these attacks followed a dispute, while 22% happened during unresolved separations. The typical perpetrator profile is predominantly male, typically French, often unemployed or having lost employment, with a median age of 50 years. Notably, the data indicates a peak in perpetrators aged 30 to 39 and a sharp decline among those 70 and older compared to the previous year.

Among female victims, 37% had experienced prior violence, with 61% reporting it to police and 88% of those formally lodging complaints. Protective measures were also noted: one victim was guarded by the judicial "telephone grave danger" (TGD) system, and another used an alert device named "Monshérif," allowing discreet notification of contacts.

These sobering statistics illuminate the urgent need for enhanced domestic violence prevention and victim protection measures. The Ministry’s annual report, which paints a grim picture of intimate partner violence in France, continues to raise alarm about the frequency and fatal consequences of such violence.