Less Than Half of French Youth Receive Adequate Sexual Consent Education, New Initiatives Aim to Improve Awareness

A recent study by Santé publique France highlights that less than half of French young adults aged 18 to 29 have undergone multiple sessions of sexual education at school, despite mandatory sessions since 2001. While 51% of those under 24 and 39% of those between 25 and 29 received several sessions, 90% experienced at least one, mostly during middle school (80%). Sexual education focuses mainly on risks, but relational topics like consent are increasingly covered, with 74% of youth under 20 understanding consent compared to 51% of older groups.

The sessions' impact is mixed, although young women who had sexual education were less likely to regret early first sexual encounters. Meanwhile, concerns about sexual violence in schools have led to educational interventions such as the theatrical production “Pas touche minouche!” performed in Parisian kindergartens. Actress Lucie Langlais Vignon uses a stuffed rabbit to sensitively teach children about respecting intimacy and the importance of saying no.

These efforts come amid rising scrutiny of school animators, with 78 suspensions this year including 31 suspicions of sexual violence in Paris. The school-based programs and innovative educational activities are part of a broader strategy to prevent sexual violence and educate children on consent from an early age. New curricula like the Evars program are planned for implementation by September 2025 amidst political debates on sexual and affective education in France.