The proposal would make the offence punishable by up to one year in prison and a €15,000 fine. Those are maximum penalties, not automatic sentences. The bill provides for higher penalties in certain circumstances, including when the recipient is a minor. Committee members also added an aggravating circumstance for cases involving a particularly vulnerable victim.
Supporters say a specific offence is needed to address a gap in French law. A single unsolicited image may not fit neatly under existing rules: public indecent exposure generally concerns conduct in a place accessible to public view, while sexual harassment usually involves repeated behaviour. The proposed offence would address the digital act itself: imposing a sexual image on someone who has not consented to receive it. EU rules also require member states to criminalise certain non-consensual online sharing of images depicting genitalia by 14 June 2027.
The disagreement is about the penalty, not whether unsolicited sexual images are acceptable. Some lawmakers support creating a clear offence but question whether prison should be part of the maximum sentence. Others argue that the proposed penalty gives courts room to respond to serious cases, while leaving judges to assess the circumstances.
The casual label “dick pic” can make the practice sound like a joke. For the person receiving an explicit image without warning or consent, it may feel intrusive, humiliating or threatening. Digital communication does not make the act harmless; it can still force someone into a sexual encounter they never agreed to.
The bill must still complete its parliamentary journey. The committee vote is an important step, but it does not make the proposed offence law. The next challenge is to produce a rule that is clear, proportionate and usable by people who experience this kind of abuse.
