French Women Demand Ending Rape Statute of Limitations

Sun Sep 06 2026 15:38:05 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

A push to scrub the 20-year limit that leaves survivors of rape and sexual assault in France without justice.

In France, a coalition of more than fifty women accused of rape and sexual assault—including victims of high-profile figures like Jeffrey Epstein—has called for the abolition of the country’s 20-year statute of limitations. The group, Survivors’ Voices, argues that time-bound legal constraints deny justice and perpetuate trauma. Their campaign highlights cases such as former BBC producer Lisa Brinkworth, whose assault allegations were dismissed due to the statute, and the recent death of model agent Jean-Luc Brunel. French authorities are being pressured to review the limits and extend the timeline for victims to file complaints.

French Women Demand Ending Rape Statute of Limitations

More than fifty women in France have united to call for the abolition of the 20-year statute of limitations that hinders their ability to seek justice for rape and sexual assault.

The group, Survivors’ Voices, includes victims of well-known figures such as Jeffrey Epstein, model agent Jean-Luc Brunel and billionaire Mohammed Al Fayed. They argue that time-bound limits dismiss their trauma and leave the crimes unpunished.

Case studies highlight former BBC producer Lisa Brinkworth, who claimed she was sexually assaulted while undercover. Her allegations were dismissed because the limit had expired, prompting her to seek redress at the European Court of Human Rights.

French authorities face increasing pressure to reconsider the limitations and widen the window for victims to report cases, ensuring that “rape doesn’t expire, trauma doesn’t expire.”