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It is a huge step. Yesterday, the Senate approved this flagship measure of the bill to protect victims of domestic violence. The lawyer Yael Mellul who co-piloted this working group during the Grenelle on domestic violence last November, speaks of a historic breakthrough.
It was one of the most anticipated proposals of the law following the Grenelle on domestic violence which was held last fall. When the psychological violence is such that it can lead to suicide. Harassment, denigration, isolation, financial dependence … all of this can destroy the victim and the only way out is to end his life. From now on, forced suicide enters the Penal Code in the same way as the influence. The Parliament definitively adopted, Tuesday July 21, this bill intended to better "protect the victims of domestic violence". In 2019, nearly 150 women were killed by their partner or ex-partner, at least 39 since early 2020.
“This is a giant step forward in the fight against domestic violence,” says lawyer Yael Mellul, who co-piloted the “psychological violence and influence” working group during the Grenelle. 10 after the recognition of psychological violence in the couple, the notion of forced suicide is in logical continuity. " The lawyer recalls that psychological violence is the cement of all forms of violence and must be incriminated. "
France becomes the first country in Europe to criminalize forced suicide
The adoption of this law in the middle of July is exceptional. It follows an extraordinary session requested by the government on the initiative of Marlène Schiappa. Something "never seen" for Yael Mellul who welcomes "a rather unprecedented efficiency". In the midst of the controversy over the Darmanin affair, this historic breakthrough is a strong signal from the executive, which has been tackled for weeks on its positions on women's rights.
When the harassment has led the victim to commit suicide or to attempt to commit suicide, the perpetrator's sentence will therefore be increased by 10 years' imprisonment and a fine of 150,000 euros. After the vote by the Senate, the next and final step is enactment. France is the first country in Europe to criminalize forced suicide. A fundamental advance in the fight against domestic violence which should inspire others. "Now, what we want, adds Yael Mellul, is that this notion is integrated by the Council of Europe and that all countries follow us."
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