The National Assembly approves life sentences for serial child rapes

Paris – 21.07.2026: The French National Assembly on Tuesday approved life imprisonment for serial rape if at least one of the victims is under 15 years old. During the second reading, 258 deputies voted in favor of tougher penalties, while 84 voted against. The provision was initially rejected on July 17, but was put to a vote again at the government’s request.

The measure expands Article 222-26 of the Criminal Code. In the future, life imprisonment may be imposed if the rape of a child under the age of 15 was committed together with one or more other rapes of other victims. Until now, this maximum penalty was primarily provided for rapes associated with torture or particularly cruel treatment.

The legislature therefore links the new sanction not to each individual act of violence, but to the combination of the age of at least one victim and multiple rape incidents. The wording also applies to crimes against other victims who do not necessarily have to be under 15 years old. The jury court will continue to decide on guilt, the specific sentence, and the individual conditions for serving it.

The debate revealed a fundamental conflict in French criminal policy. Left-wing deputies rejected the provision during the first reading. They doubted that increasing the maximum penalty would effectively improve the detection of sexual violence and pointed to shortcomings in prevention, investigations, and assistance for victims. Supporters of the reform, on the other hand, considered it a necessary response to particularly serious repeat offenses.

Life imprisonment under French law does not mean automatic incarceration until death. Under the current Criminal Code, the standard minimum period without the possibility of release in the event of a life sentence is 18 years. The court may extend it to 22 years by means of a specially reasoned decision. During this period, parole, leave from prison, and certain forms of semi-open detention are excluded, among other things.

The tougher penalty is part of a government bill on child protection, which the National Assembly approved overall at first reading on Tuesday. The legislative package also provides for changes to investigations into violence against minors and their protection. The government declared the procedure accelerated; the Senate will consider the text next.

The decision is not yet binding law. Both chambers of parliament must agree on an identical version before the law can be promulgated. However, the renewed adoption of the article shows that the government was able to push through its key criminal-law demand despite its initial defeat in the plenary chamber.