Sharp Rise in Sexual Violence Reports Spurs Action in French Sports Sector

In 2025, France witnessed a significant surge in reports of sexual violence within the sports sector, highlighting an alarming growth in incidents and a shift toward greater victim awareness and reporting. According to the Ministry of Sports, Youth, and Associative Life, there was a 64% increase in such reports from 2024 to 2025, totaling 872 incidents. This represents a dramatic 140% increase compared to 2023. Early 2026 data indicates this upward trend in reports has continued.

To address this rising challenge, comprehensive preventive measures have been implemented during the 2025-2026 sports season. Notably, around 1.7 million background checks were conducted on sports educators, referees, and licensed federation operators to reduce misconduct risks. These findings and initiatives were discussed during the 7th national convention on violence prevention in sports, hosted at INSEP with key stakeholders including Sports Minister Marina Ferrari.

Minister Ferrari emphasized the ongoing commitment to combating sexual violence in sports, stating, “Much remains to be done, of course. We are more aware, more attentive, and more vigilant than before, and we are stronger in number against the perpetrators of violence. I want to commend the courage of victims and all those who have spoken out to ensure that sports remain a space of trust and growth.”

A landmark partnership between the Ministry of Sports and the France Victimes association has been established to enhance support and assistance for victims, reflecting a more victim-centered approach. Through this collaboration, victim support services and awareness campaigns aim to expand across the sporting community.

This suite of measures—background checks, multi-sector conventions, and strategic partnerships—signifies France’s determined response to the sexual violence surge in sports, underlining a broader cultural shift toward safeguarding athletes and fostering trust within sports environments.