Zone Psy ConsultationPsychoanalytic organisation
Only 54% of employees correctly identify sexual harassment, and 52% sexist behaviour. Twenty-eight percent confuse the two, and 77% find harassment hard to identify precisely. These figures come from the Ipsos bva barometer for Qualisocial published in October 2026, carried out among 2,000 employees. By contrast, 76% correctly recognise a sexual assault.
What the law says
Sexual harassment means repeatedly imposing on a person sexual or sexist remarks or behaviour that violate their dignity because they are degrading or humiliating, or that create an intimidating, hostile or offensive situation. Any serious pressure, even a single time, aimed at obtaining a sexual act is also treated as harassment. The victim does not have to have expressly refused.
You do not have to say no to be protected: it is the behaviour that is at issue.
Penalties, and obligations
The offence carries up to two years' imprisonment and a €30,000 fine, and up to three years and €45,000 in aggravated cases, for example when the perpetrator abuses the authority of their position. The employer must prevent it, put a stop to it and sanction it once aware. In companies with at least 250 employees a referent is appointed, and the works council (CSE) appoints one too.
Employees, trainees and applicants who suffer or refuse these acts, or report them in good faith, cannot be penalised or dismissed for it. Conversely, knowingly false accusations can lead to sanctions.
Digital tools and remote work do not protect
Twenty-eight percent of employees have faced inappropriate behaviour through a professional digital tool: 53% of 18-24-year-olds, 45% of managers against 23% of non-managers. Remote workers are more affected (41% against 22% on site). Whereas 45% of employees thought in 2022 that remote work protected, 91% now say it has no effect on this risk.
Whom to turn to
- The harassment referent of the company or the CSE, if there is one.
- The occupational physician or the occupational health service.
- The labour inspectorate and the Défenseur des droits.
- A lawyer, a victim-support association, or 0 806 000 126 for information (in French).
- A psychologist: shame, guilt and shock are common, and can be worked through.
Many victims stay silent for fear of retaliation or out of shame, when the shame belongs to the perpetrator. Speaking, to a professional or a trusted person, is a first step that eases the sense of being alone.
Sources
This article is for information only. It replaces neither a consultation nor a diagnosis, which is a doctor's role.
