Trial of skipper Kevin Escoffier for sexual assaults in Lorient

Context figures

• Sexual violence – Morbihan

  « Sexual violence » (victims), Morbihan (56): 1,460 in 2025, i.e., 186 per 100,000 inhabitants (national average: 193). In 2016: 458, i.e., 61 per 100,000 inhabitants.

  SSMSI (ministère de l'Intérieur), 2025

Reference points

• In October 2026, a former French football prospect aged 57 was placed under formal investigation and remanded in custody for sexual assaults on two young teenage girls; the same day, a former Ligue 1 player was remanded in custody as part of an investigation into sexual assaults on minors. Acturadar archives, 2026
• On October 26, 2026, a new complaint for sexual assault on a minor was filed against Eric Olhats, former coach of Antoine Griezmann, for acts dating back to the 1980s; two days later, the Bayonne prosecutor's office announced the opening of a new investigation for rape and sexual assault targeting him. Acturadar archives, 2026

Key terms

Sexual assault

Under French law, a sexual assault is a « sexual act committed with violence, coercion, threat, or surprise, or, in cases provided for by law, committed against a minor by an adult » (Article 222-22 of the Penal Code). The Penal Code distinguishes rape, sexual assaults other than rape, sexual exhibition, and sexual harassment. Wikipédia

Tribunal correctionnel

In France, the Tribunal correctionnel is a specialized chamber of the judicial court that rules at first instance in criminal matters on offenses classified as misdemeanors, whose prison sentences cannot exceed ten years. Serious crimes are tried by the cour d'assises. Wikipédia · Service-public.fr (Direction de l'information légale et administrative)

Sexist and sexual violence

The term refers to sexual and sexist violence in general, which the #MeToo movement helped expose, highlighting the need to adopt reforms concerning certain policies and laws. The movement sparked awareness of the unacceptable nature of sexual violence and sexual harassment. Wikipédia

What happens next?

What usually happens in this kind of situation — without prejudging the outcome.

1. As a rule, the Tribunal correctionnel, the first-instance criminal court competent to judge misdemeanors, rules at first instance; more serious offenses (crimes) fall under the cour d'assises. Wikipédia

Useful resources

• France Victimes116 006

  Listening, information, and support for any victim of an offense or accident, free of charge.

• Violences Femmes Info3919

  Anonymous and free listening service for women victims of violence and their relatives, 24/7.

• Porter plainteservice-public.fr

  Procedures for filing a complaint (police station, gendarmerie, prosecutor, online).