“Rape and Trauma Have No Expiration Date”: Victim Collective Calls for Abolition of Statute of Limitations for Sexual Crimes

Paris – 06/25/2026: A collective of women known as “Les Voix des survivantes” (The Voices of the Survivors) has called for the abolition of the statute of limitations for sexual crimes. They criticize that their reports are considered time-barred due to expired deadlines. The women emphasize that “rape and trauma have no expiration date” and that the existing deadlines do not do justice to the victims.

In France, the statute of limitations for rape is 20 years, starting from the day of the act. For sexual crimes against minors, this period was extended to 30 years, beginning from the victim’s adulthood. This regulation was introduced in 2018 to give victims more time to speak out and initiate legal proceedings. Nevertheless, many affected individuals see these deadlines as insufficient.

“Les Voix des survivantes” argue that the existing time limits do not do justice to the victims and that society needs to develop awareness of the long-term effects of sexual crimes. They call for comprehensive reform of the justice system to do justice to the victims and hold perpetrators accountable.

The discussion about the statute of limitations for sexual crimes is not new. Already in 2017, the Haut Conseil à l’Égalité (HCE) had demanded an extension of the limitation periods for sexual crimes to improve victim recognition and the judicial conviction of sexual offenses. The HCE emphasized that the existing deadlines do not do justice to the victims and that an extension is necessary to give victims more time to speak out and initiate legal action.

Despite these demands, the issue of limitation periods remains a controversial topic in French society. While some consider the existing periods sufficient, others argue that they do not do justice to the victims and that reform of the justice system is necessary to serve victims fairly and hold perpetrators accountable.

The debate over the statute of limitations for sexual crimes is part of a broader discussion about dealing with sexual violence in France. In recent years, the #MeToo movement has drawn worldwide attention and also sparked increased debate about sexual harassment and violence in France. Many call for stronger recognition of victims and more consistent prosecution of perpetrators.

The demand by “Les Voix des survivantes” to abolish the statute of limitations for sexual crimes is another step in this discussion. They emphasize that the existing deadlines do not do justice to victims and that reform of the justice system is necessary to do justice to victims and hold perpetrators accountable.

The French government has so far not issued a statement regarding this demand. It remains to be seen if and in what form reform of the statute of limitations for sexual crimes will be implemented in France.