About four million French women – 12% of the total – have been raped at least once in their lives, a survey suggests.
The study for the Fondation Jean Jaurès, a Paris-based think tank, also says 43% have been subjected to sexual touching without their consent.
Like many other countries, France has seen women take to social media to highlight abuse in recent months.
Many have shared their experiences under the hashtag “Balance ton porc” (“rat on your pig”).
The campaign was launched following the rape allegations against Hollywood movie mogul Harvey Weinstein last October.
In addition to the 12% who say they have been raped, 58% have been subjected to disturbing propositions and 43% to “sexual touching without consent”, the study says.
Most of the women reporting such abuse have experienced it several times, it adds.
The report highlights the “heavy consequences and long-term repercussions suffered by the victims”.