# The Senate adopts a bill on child protection

> On October 26, a collective of organizations and personalities calls for the imprescriptibility of sexual crimes and assaults against minors, as the Senate is due to examine a bill on childhood. On October 27, the Senate examines a bill on child welfare, while Minister Aurore Bergé defends the imprescriptibility of crimes against minors. On October 29, the Senate votes 252 to 80 to restore the imprescriptibility of sexual crimes committed against minors, then adopts a global system for checking criminal records. On November 3, the Senate adopts the child protection bill, including imprescriptibility, life imprisonment for serial rapes and criminal record checks, with the final text yet to be written.

**In brief**: Ongoing story bringing together 6 events nationwide, followed from 26 October 2026 to 3 November 2026. 51 articles from 32 sources (justice, society); last updated on 3 November 2026 at 19:30.

- Status: ongoing
- Category: Justice, Society
- Place: Nationwide
- First detected: 26 October 2026 at 14:54
- Updated: 3 November 2026 at 19:30
- Web page: https://acturadar.com/en/stories/79-the-senate-adopts-a-bill-on-child-protection

## Coverage angles

All three sides widely cover the Senate vote on imprescriptibility of sexual crimes against minors, but the left emphasizes criticisms and shortcomings of the text, the center details the measures and their procedures, while the right highlights the government's role and reservations about the scope of the text.

**Common ground**

- The Senate voted imprescriptibility of sexual crimes against minors by 252 votes to 80
- The measure extends an exception previously reserved for crimes against humanity
- The final text remains to be written, with an agreement to be reached with the National Assembly
- The bill also includes life imprisonment for serial rapes and criminal record checks

**Differences**

- The left highlights the lack of additional financial resources and associative criticisms, absent from center and right articles
- The right emphasizes doubts about constitutionality and the desire to reduce the text, little present elsewhere
- The center insists on the question of retroactivity of the measure, absent from other sides

## What is established

_“Confirmed” = reported by at least two independent outlets (outlets of the same group count as one). AI cross-check of the collected headlines and extracts._

**Confirmed by several sources**

- The Senate voted imprescriptibility of sexual crimes committed against minors during the examination of the child protection bill. (15 independent sources: [Dernières Nouvelles d'Alsace](https://www.dna.fr/politique/2026/10/29/pedocriminalite-le-senat-vote-pour-l-imprescribilite-des-crimes-sexuels-commis-sur-les-mineurs), [L'Est Républicain](https://www.estrepublicain.fr/politique/2026/10/29/pedocriminalite-le-senat-vote-pour-l-imprescribilite-des-crimes-sexuels-commis-sur-les-mineurs), [Le Dauphiné libéré](https://www.ledauphine.com/politique/2026/10/29/pedocriminalite-le-senat-vote-pour-l-imprescribilite-des-crimes-sexuels-commis-sur-les-mineurs), [Le Progrès](https://www.leprogres.fr/politique/2026/10/29/pedocriminalite-le-senat-vote-pour-l-imprescribilite-des-crimes-sexuels-commis-sur-les-mineurs), [Le Bien Public](https://www.bienpublic.com/politique/2026/10/29/pedocriminalite-le-senat-vote-pour-l-imprescribilite-des-crimes-sexuels-commis-sur-les-mineurs), [L'Union](http://www.lunion.fr/id836831/article/2026-10-29/apres-le-vote-du-senat-la-france-se-dirige-vers-limprescriptibilite-des-crimes), [Ouest-France](https://www.ouest-france.fr/faits-divers/violence-sexuelle/le-senat-approuve-limprescribilite-les-crimes-sexuels-commis-sur-les-mineurs-3b53971c-d324-11f1-af78-2d36ec019942?utm_source=fluxpublicactu&utm_medium=fluxrss&utm_campaign=banquedecontenu), [Public Sénat](https://www.publicsenat.fr/actualites/parlementaire/protection-de-lenfance-le-senat-retablit-limprescriptibilite-des-crimes-sexuels-sur-mineurs), [France 24](https://www.france24.com/fr/france/20261029-en-france-le-s%C3%A9nat-vote-l-imprescriptibilit%C3%A9-des-crimes-sexuels-commis-sur-les-mineurs), [Le Parisien](https://www.leparisien.fr/politique/les-crimes-sexuels-sur-mineurs-bientot-imprescriptibles-le-vote-positif-du-senat-ouvre-la-voie-a-ladoption-de-la-mesure-29-10-2026-NCKZZRQFS5CJ5JN3I3QWWX32NY.php), [20 Minutes](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMi1gFBVV95cUxPNy1IRHNQTGV1SnBqRjV5MTBJekRfNjFvaXBnTEhHb3EweE5nQ095SWVCSDh6QWNhWkNBblJGMDVENDBBblZqYzVVbUtWRENkb0lxcm9oS0ZZVFpVSU1iTG5iMDVGa0VvTUZDTEVqX3lxVGgzYThoRG9EeTdIRU5QeEFHVmN3Vy1BZHNpOWN0ZnhDWTA5TkVYcGZLeHp0TGpwS1lsYU5pSlNidzR1LWVuVWRBOFd3ZVpLd0NZM0Z0TGJvbDJsTkhkcjk1VnhJMnkxSGFreGJR?oc=5), [BFMTV / RMC](https://www.bfmtv.com/politique/parlement/le-senat-approuve-l-imprescriptibilite-des-crimes-sexuels-commis-sur-les-mineurs_AD-202610290108.html), [Sud Ouest](https://www.sudouest.fr/societe/plus-jamais-un-enfant-victime-d-inceste-n-entendra-qu-il-etait-trop-tard-pour-parler-le-senat-approuve-l-imprescriptibilite-des-crimes-sexuels-commis-sur-les-mineurs-31286105.php), [CNews](https://www.cnews.fr/france/2026-10-29/pedocriminalite-le-senat-vote-pour-limprescriptibilite-des-crimes-sexuels-commis), [La Croix](https://www.la-croix.com/le-senat-approuve-l-imprescriptibilite-des-crimes-sexuels-commis-sur-les-mineurs-20261028), [TF1 Info / LCI](https://www.tf1info.fr/politique/apres-l-assemblee-nationale-le-senat-ouvre-la-voie-a-l-imprescriptibilite-des-crimes-sexuels-commis-sur-les-mineurs-2472644.html), [Paris-Normandie](http://www.paris-normandie.fr/id755714/article/2026-10-29/le-senat-approuve-limprescriptibilite-des-crimes-sexuels-commis-sur-les-mineurs), [Mediapart](https://www.mediapart.fr/journal/france/291026/fin-de-la-prescription-pour-les-crimes-sexuels-sur-mineurs-le-senat-ouvre-la-voie-une-adoption-definitive), [Midi Libre](https://www.midilibre.fr/2026/10/29/imprescriptibilite-pour-les-crimes-sexuels-commis-sur-les-mineurs-le-senat-approuve-le-projet-de-loi-pret-pour-une-adoption-definitive-13626108.php), [Libération](https://www.liberation.fr/societe/droits-des-femmes/apres-lassemblee-le-senat-approuve-a-son-tour-limprescriptibilite-des-crimes-sexuels-sur-les-mineurs-20261029_2D3LF4MZMRFTRJ5H4ZCAGMZ32E/), [L'Humanité](https://www.humanite.fr/societe/cecile-cukierman/le-senat-ouvre-adopte-limprescriptibilite-des-crimes-sexuels-commis-sur-les-mineurs))
- Imprescriptibility was previously reserved for crimes against humanity. (7 independent sources: [Le Monde](https://www.lemonde.fr/societe/article/2026/10/27/le-debat-sur-l-imprescriptibilite-des-crimes-sexuels-sur-les-mineurs-arrive-au-senat_6801103_3224.html), [L'Union](http://www.lunion.fr/id836831/article/2026-10-29/apres-le-vote-du-senat-la-france-se-dirige-vers-limprescriptibilite-des-crimes), [France 24](https://www.france24.com/fr/france/20261029-en-france-le-s%C3%A9nat-vote-l-imprescriptibilit%C3%A9-des-crimes-sexuels-commis-sur-les-mineurs), [20 Minutes](https://www.20minutes.fr/politique/assemblee_nationale/4258452-20261029-senat-vote-imprescriptibilite-crimes-sexuels-mineurs-80-voix-contre?at_medium=display&at_campaign=149), [BFMTV / RMC](https://www.bfmtv.com/politique/video-le-senat-a-vote-l-imprescriptibilite-des-crimes-sexuels-commis-sur-les-mineurs_VN-202610290121.html), [CNews](https://www.cnews.fr/france/2026-10-29/pedocriminalite-le-senat-vote-pour-limprescriptibilite-des-crimes-sexuels-commis), [La Croix](https://www.la-croix.com/le-senat-approuve-l-imprescriptibilite-des-crimes-sexuels-commis-sur-les-mineurs-20261028), [Midi Libre](https://www.midilibre.fr/2026/10/29/imprescriptibilite-pour-les-crimes-sexuels-commis-sur-les-mineurs-le-senat-approuve-le-projet-de-loi-pret-pour-une-adoption-definitive-13626108.php))
- This vote took place on Wednesday, October 28, 2026 and received 252 votes against 80. (5 independent sources: [L'Union](http://www.lunion.fr/id836831/article/2026-10-29/apres-le-vote-du-senat-la-france-se-dirige-vers-limprescriptibilite-des-crimes), [Public Sénat](https://www.publicsenat.fr/actualites/parlementaire/protection-de-lenfance-le-senat-retablit-limprescriptibilite-des-crimes-sexuels-sur-mineurs), [Sud Ouest](https://www.sudouest.fr/societe/plus-jamais-un-enfant-victime-d-inceste-n-entendra-qu-il-etait-trop-tard-pour-parler-le-senat-approuve-l-imprescriptibilite-des-crimes-sexuels-commis-sur-les-mineurs-31286105.php), [Paris-Normandie](http://www.paris-normandie.fr/id755714/article/2026-10-29/le-senat-approuve-limprescriptibilite-des-crimes-sexuels-commis-sur-les-mineurs), [Midi Libre](https://www.midilibre.fr/2026/10/29/imprescriptibilite-pour-les-crimes-sexuels-commis-sur-les-mineurs-le-senat-approuve-le-projet-de-loi-pret-pour-une-adoption-definitive-13626108.php), [L'Humanité](https://www.humanite.fr/societe/cecile-cukierman/le-senat-ouvre-adopte-limprescriptibilite-des-crimes-sexuels-commis-sur-les-mineurs))
- An amendment extending imprescriptibility to sexual crimes against minors, adopted by the National Assembly, was removed in the Senate's law committee. (4 independent sources: [Le Monde](https://www.lemonde.fr/societe/article/2026/10/27/le-debat-sur-l-imprescriptibilite-des-crimes-sexuels-sur-les-mineurs-arrive-au-senat_6801103_3224.html), [Le Figaro](https://www.lefigaro.fr/actualite-france/crimes-sur-mineurs-aurore-berge-veut-reintroduire-leur-imprescriptibilite-au-senat-20261027), [Public Sénat](https://www.publicsenat.fr/actualites/parlementaire/protection-de-lenfance-le-senat-retablit-limprescriptibilite-des-crimes-sexuels-sur-mineurs), [Midi Libre](https://www.midilibre.fr/2026/10/29/imprescriptibilite-pour-les-crimes-sexuels-commis-sur-les-mineurs-le-senat-approuve-le-projet-de-loi-pret-pour-une-adoption-definitive-13626108.php))
- Initially intended for child welfare, the bill was recentred on the fight against child sexual abuse at the National Assembly. (3 independent sources: [Sud Ouest](https://www.sudouest.fr/politique/projet-de-loi-de-protection-des-enfants-imprescriptibilite-controles-auditions-les-principaux-points-en-debat-au-senat-31273140.php), [Ouest-France](https://www.ouest-france.fr/politique/institutions/senat/les-victimes-de-le-scouarnec-soucieuses-des-travaux-du-senat-sur-le-projet-de-loi-pour-la-protection-de-lenfance-73c026d0-d2b4-11f1-af78-2d36ec019942?utm_source=fluxpublicactu&utm_medium=fluxrss&utm_campaign=banquedecontenu), [franceinfo](https://www.franceinfo.fr/societe/harcelement-sexuel/peine-de-perpetuite-en-cas-de-viols-auditions-du-suspect-sous-3-mois-les-grands-debats-autour-du-projet-de-loi-de-protection-des-enfants-examine-au-senat_8258291.html#xtor=RSS-3-%5Blestitres%5D))
- The text must still be validated by a solemn vote on Tuesday then examined in a joint committee. (3 independent sources: [France 24](https://www.france24.com/fr/france/20261029-en-france-le-s%C3%A9nat-vote-l-imprescriptibilit%C3%A9-des-crimes-sexuels-commis-sur-les-mineurs), [franceinfo](https://www.franceinfo.fr/societe/harcelement-sexuel/peine-de-perpetuite-en-cas-de-viols-auditions-du-suspect-sous-3-mois-les-grands-debats-autour-du-projet-de-loi-de-protection-des-enfants-examine-au-senat_8258291.html#xtor=RSS-3-%5Blestitres%5D), [L'Humanité](https://www.humanite.fr/societe/cecile-cukierman/le-senat-ouvre-adopte-limprescriptibilite-des-crimes-sexuels-commis-sur-les-mineurs))
- On October 27, Aurore Bergé announced a government amendment to restore imprescriptibility. (2 independent sources: [La Dépêche du Midi](https://www.ladepeche.fr/2026/10/27/la-ministre-aurore-berge-veut-rendre-les-crimes-sur-mineurs-imprescriptibles-13622188.php), [Le Figaro](https://www.lefigaro.fr/actualite-france/crimes-sur-mineurs-aurore-berge-veut-reintroduire-leur-imprescriptibilite-au-senat-20261027))
- The Senate adopted on October 29 a global system for checking criminal records of people working in contact with minors. (2 independent sources: [Public Sénat](https://www.publicsenat.fr/actualites/parlementaire/periscolaire-le-senat-etend-et-renforce-le-controle-dhonorabilite-a-lensemble-des-personnels-aux-contacts-de-mineurs), [Sud Ouest](https://www.sudouest.fr/justice/pedocriminalite-le-senat-vote-un-regime-global-de-controle-des-antecedents-judiciaires-31296360.php))

**Sources disagree**

- Start date of Senate examination: Tuesday, October 27, 2026 according to [Libération](https://www.liberation.fr/idees-et-debats/tribunes/crimes-sur-mineurs-la-france-doit-faire-le-choix-de-limprescriptibilite-20261026_L44QEMU2ZFCPFPDXVHY5XEVX7M/), [Mediapart](https://www.mediapart.fr/journal/france/271026/la-protection-de-l-enfance-qui-s-effondre-un-boulevard-pour-marine-le-pen), [La Croix](https://www.la-croix.com/societe/protection-des-enfants-le-senat-s-empare-dun-texte-qui-veut-stabiliser-le-parcours-des-jeunes-places-20261027) ; Wednesday, October 28, 2026 according to [Ouest-France](https://www.ouest-france.fr/politique/institutions/senat/les-victimes-de-le-scouarnec-soucieuses-des-travaux-du-senat-sur-le-projet-de-loi-pour-la-protection-de-lenfance-73c026d0-d2b4-11f1-af78-2d36ec019942?utm_source=fluxpublicactu&utm_medium=fluxrss&utm_campaign=banquedecontenu), [L'Humanité](https://www.humanite.fr/politique/affaire-lyhanna/violences-faites-aux-enfants-la-loi-sur-la-protection-de-lenfance-a-ete-devoyee-denonce-le-president-de-mouvenfants), [Public Sénat](https://www.publicsenat.fr/actualites/parlementaire/protection-de-lenfance-le-senat-retablit-a-une-voix-pres-lordonnance-de-surete-de-lenfant)

**Single source so far**

- A victim of rape suffered in childhood can file a complaint until age 48, the limitation period being 30 years from the age of majority. (according to [franceinfo](https://www.franceinfo.fr/societe/harcelement-sexuel/plus-jamais-un-enfant-victime-d-inceste-n-entendra-qu-il-etait-trop-tard-pour-parler-le-senat-approuve-l-imprescriptibilite-des-crimes-sexuels-commis-sur-les-mineurs_8258195.html#xtor=RSS-3-%5Bgeneral%5D))
- On October 26, a collective of organizations, academics, artists and elected officials called for imprescriptibility of sexual crimes and assaults against minors. (according to [Libération](https://www.liberation.fr/idees-et-debats/tribunes/crimes-sur-mineurs-la-france-doit-faire-le-choix-de-limprescriptibilite-20261026_L44QEMU2ZFCPFPDXVHY5XEVX7M/))

**Updates**

- 30 October 2026 at 04:13: The Senate adopted on October 29 a system harmonizing criminal record checks for people in contact with minors.

## Timeline (6 events)

### 26 October 2026 — [Op-ed for imprescriptibility of sexual crimes against minors before Senate review](https://acturadar.com/en/events/785-op-ed-for-imprescriptibility-of-sexual-crimes-against-minors-before-senate.md)

As the Senate examines the childhood bill, a collective of organizations and personalities calls for making sexual crimes and sexual assaults against minors imprescriptible.

2 sources, 2 articles · Nationwide

### 27 October 2026 — [The Senate examines a bill on child welfare](https://acturadar.com/en/events/1518-the-senate-examines-a-bill-on-child-welfare.md)

The Senate examines, starting Tuesday, a bill on child welfare, whose dysfunctions are highlighted, while Marine Le Pen seeks to capitalize on the issue.

7 sources, 8 articles · Nationwide

### 27 October 2026 — [Aurore Bergé wants to make crimes against minors imprescriptible](https://acturadar.com/en/events/1674-aurore-berge-wants-to-make-crimes-against-minors-imprescriptible.md)

Aurore Bergé defended on Public Sénat making crimes against minors imprescriptible, and also spoke about the Parcoursup reform.

4 sources, 4 articles · Nationwide

### 29 October 2026 — [The Senate votes on the statute of limitations for sexual crimes against minors](https://acturadar.com/en/events/3417-the-senate-votes-on-the-statute-of-limitations-for-sexual-crimes-against-minors.md)

The Senate reinstated by 252 votes against 80 the statute of limitations for sexual crimes committed against minors, opening the way for definitive adoption.

27 sources, 33 articles · Nationwide

### 29 October 2026 — [Le Sénat vote un régime global de contrôle des antécédents judiciaires](https://acturadar.com/en/events/4429-le-senat-vote-un-regime-global-de-controle-des-antecedents-judiciaires.md)

Le Sénat a adopté un dispositif harmonisant le contrôle des personnes travaillant au contact des mineurs afin d'éviter de nouvelles failles.

1 sources, 1 articles · Nationwide

### 3 November 2026 — [Le Sénat adopte le projet de loi de protection des enfants](https://acturadar.com/en/events/8486-le-senat-adopte-le-projet-de-loi-de-protection-des-enfants.md)

Le Sénat a adopté mardi 3 novembre un projet de loi sur la protection des enfants incluant l'imprescriptibilité des crimes sexuels sur mineurs, la perpétuité pour viols en série et le contrôle des antécédents judiciaires. Le texte définitif reste à écrire.

3 sources, 3 articles · Nationwide

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Cite as: Acturadar, “The Senate adopts a bill on child protection”, https://acturadar.com/en/stories/79-the-senate-adopts-a-bill-on-child-protection
Methodology: https://acturadar.com/en/methodology