One in two women in France report sexual violence during gynaecological or obstetric care

A landmark survey published today reveals that one in two women in France has experienced acts during gynaecological or obstetric care that may constitute sexual violence, prompting an immediate call from the advocacy group StopVOG for sweeping reforms in medical consent and oversight.

The findings, based on responses from 10 152 people, show that 50 % of respondents reported procedures or examinations where consent was either absent, coerced, or ignored by doctors, midwives, or nurses. StopVOG, which coordinated the study, described the results as “a systemic failure of bodily autonomy” and demanded mandatory training, transparent complaint mechanisms, and legal sanctions for practitioners who breach consent protocols. “These are not isolated incidents,” said a spokesperson for StopVOG. “They reflect a culture in which women’s pain and refusal are routinely minimised.”

The scale of the problem is underscored by parallel data from *Le Monde*, which reports that more than four in ten women have endured gynaecological or obstetric violence during consultations. The newspaper notes that the 10 000-person sample—one of the largest ever collected on the issue in France—includes accounts of non-consensual episiotomies, forced cervical examinations, and humiliating remarks about body weight or sexual history.

Health professionals have reacted with alarm. The French National College of Gynaecologists and Obstetricians (CNGOF) acknowledged that the survey “highlights serious breaches of deontological rules” and pledged to review its ethical guidelines by September 2026. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health announced it would audit all maternity units by the end of 2026 to ensure compliance with the 2022 law requiring explicit, informed consent for every invasive procedure.

Critics argue that existing penalties—ranging from temporary licence suspension to minor fines—are insufficient to deter repeat offenders. StopVOG is urging parliament to adopt a “zero-tolerance” clause that would strip practitioners of their licence after a first proven violation of consent. “Women should not have to prove they were traumatised to be believed,” the group stated.

The revelations arrive amid a broader European reckoning with medical misconduct. In Finland, the rector of Oulu University resigned on Wednesday after an internal investigation confirmed he had sexually harassed a subordinate, including suggestive language and unwanted advances. In France, prosecutors have also lodged an appeal against the acquittal of a Parisian after-school worker accused of sexual violence, arguing that the original ruling ignored clear signs of predatory behaviour.

For the thousands of women who shared their stories, today’s data offers validation but little comfort. “I told myself it was normal,” said one respondent from Lyon, who described a gynaecologist performing a biopsy without anaesthesia after she withdrew consent. “Now I know it wasn’t.”