Guide · · 6 min read
Filing a Complaint in Sexual Offence Cases: First Steps
When you are the victim of a sexual offence, the first step is often the hardest. A complaint can be filed at the nearest police station, gendarmerie, or directly with the public prosecutor. A lawyer is not mandatory to file — but proceeding with counsel from the start matters, both for protecting your rights and for ensuring procedures are done correctly and only once.
When filing, it is enough to describe events as far as you remember them; not recalling every detail in the moment is entirely natural and does not weaken your statement. If you hold any evidence — messages, images, clothing — preserve it unwashed and undeleted.
For complaint-based offences such as basic sexual assault and sexual harassment, the deadline is six months from learning of the act and the perpetrator. Aggravated forms and offences against children are investigated ex officio regardless of time. If you are unsure whether your deadline has passed, reviewing the situation with a lawyer is the soundest path.