The key facts

  • 136 violent deaths within couples in 2025 (138 in 2024); women account for 82% of victims, 111 killed (+4%)
  • 445 attempted murders; in 76% of cases the crime was committed at home, most often with a bladed weapon (58%)
  • Bill against sexist and sexual violence adopted unanimously by the National Assembly (503 votes in favour) and sent to the Senate

Overall statistics: fewer deaths overall, but an increase among women

France's Interior Ministry published a national study on violent deaths within couples. According to its data, in 2025 the police and gendarmerie recorded 136 such deaths — 1% fewer than in 2024 (138). On average, one person dies this way every three days. However, the overall decline hides a gender imbalance: the number of women killed rose from 107 in 2024 to 111 in 2025 (+4%), while the number of men killed fell to 25 from 31 a year earlier (−19%). Women account for 82% of all victims. The report, reviewed by Euronews, also records 445 attempted murders — more than in 2024.

Circumstances of the tragedies

In 82% of cases, the perpetrators of the lethal violence were men. Among the main triggers were arguments (36 cases) and rejected separations (30 cases); together they account for almost half of the studied episodes. In 76% of cases the crime was committed at home; a bladed weapon was most often used (58%), followed by firearms (34%). In 36% of cases, investigators found at least one substance capable of affecting judgement — alcohol, drugs or psychotropic medications — in the perpetrator or the victim.

Children — victims and witnesses

In 2025, 106 minors lost their father, mother or both parents as a result of such tragedies. Nine infanticides were committed in the context of marital conflicts. One example is February 2025 in Franconville (Val-d'Oise department), where a one-year-old girl was killed by her father, who then took his own life; domestic violence had previously been recorded in the couple, and the relationship was under judicial supervision.

Previous violence was often known to the authorities

According to the report, 37% of the killed women had previously been subjected to violence. Of these, 61% had reported it to the police or gendarmerie, and 88% of this group had filed official complaints. Despite this, protective measures were virtually absent at the time of the killings: only one victim had a 'grave danger' phone (TGD) and one more had an alarm button.

Comprehensive bill adopted by the National Assembly

The fight against sexist and sexual violence was declared a national cause during Emmanuel Macron's first presidential term (2017–2022), but a broad cross-party bill appeared only this year — after the kidnapping, rape and murder of 11-year-old Liana and the public mobilisation that followed. The document, supported by eight political groups in the National Assembly, provides for a minimum standard of investigation so that cases are not closed too quickly, the creation of specialised police units and judicial bodies, a mandatory annual interview in schools to detect violence from 2032, as well as a support pathway for minor victims. On Tuesday, the assembly adopted the bill unanimously: 503 votes in favour, none against. It must now be examined by the upper chamber — the Senate.