Five women killed in Centre-Val de Loire

In the Centre-Val de Loire region, five women were killed in 2025 due to domestic violence, according to the Ministry of the Interior. Two of the deaths occurred in Indre-et-Loire, two in Loir-et-Cher, and one in Eure-et-Loir.

National decrease in violent deaths

Nationally, 136 people lost their lives in the context of a relationship in 2025, a slight decrease from the 138 recorded in 2024. However, this small change does not reflect a significant improvement in the overall situation.

Women remain the main victims

Women accounted for 82% of the victims of violent deaths within a relationship in 2025, with 111 women killed. This number represents a 4% increase compared to the previous year, highlighting the ongoing risk for women in such situations.

Fewer male victims reported

The report notes 25 male victims in 2025, a decrease of 19% compared to 2024. This decline is part of a broader trend, though it does not reduce the severity of the issue for women.

Frequent occurrence of such deaths

According to the annual study from the Ministry of the Interior, a violent death within a relationship occurs on average every three days in France. The study also recorded 435 attempted homicides within a relationship, reported by police and gendarmerie services.

Perpetrators' characteristics

The perpetrators of these crimes are predominantly men, often French nationals in a relationship and without professional activity at the time of the incident. The median age of the perpetrators is 50, with a notable increase in perpetrators aged 30-39.

Suicides among perpetrators

The study reveals that 21% of perpetrators committed suicide after the incident, indicating the psychological impact of their actions. This statistic underscores the complex nature of domestic violence and its consequences.

Victims with prior history of violence

Of the 111 women killed in 2025, 37% had already experienced violence. Among these, 61% had reported the violence to the police or gendarmerie, and 88% of those who reported it filed a formal complaint.

Inadequate protective measures

Despite these efforts, protective measures have not always been sufficient to prevent the deaths. Some victims were under the judicial protection program "Phone Grave Danger," and others had an "Monshérif" alert button, which allows discreet notification in case of danger.

Violence often occurs at home

In 76% of cases, violent deaths occur at the home of the couple, the victim, or the perpetrator. Bladed weapons were used in 52 cases, and firearms in thirty cases, indicating the lethal nature of these incidents.

Children affected by domestic violence

Children are also affected by these violent incidents. In 17% of cases, children were present at the scene, whether or not they witnessed the incident. Nine children lost their lives as a result of such violence.

Frequent causes of incidents

The study highlights that disputes preceded the incident in 26% of cases, and 22% of incidents occurred in the context of a very difficult separation. These factors often contribute to the escalation of domestic violence.

No region is spared

No region in France is unaffected by this phenomenon. In 2025, the Grand Est, Hauts-de-France, and Île-de-France regions recorded the highest number of deaths, with 16 each. Other regions, including Nouvelle-Aquitaine and Provence-Alpes-Côte-d'Azur, also recorded more than 10 victims.

Femicide counts persist in 2026

Although the official tally of lethal violence within relationships for 2026 is not yet known, initial data from feminist organizations indicate the persistence of femicides. The Collective "Femicides by partners or exes" reported 75 women killed by their partner or ex since the beginning of 2026.

Broader definition of femicide

The feminist collective "NousToutes" uses a broader definition of femicide, considering the role of patriarchy in the perpetration and normalization of these murders and sexual and gender-based violence. As of October 19, 2026, the collective reported 119 femicides in France.

Individual cases highlighted

Among the victims are Jeanne, 21 years old, killed on May 3 at her home in Tours (Indre-et-Loire) by her boyfriend, and Vicinthe, 40 years old, killed at her home in Suèvres (Loir-et-Cher) by her ex-boyfriend on June 11, 2026. These cases illustrate the tragic and personal impact of domestic violence.