Sandrine Josso: from public speech to recommendations against chemical submission
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A case that made the phenomenon more visible
The deputy’s testimony reminded us that administration without the victim’s knowledge can occur in a private setting, among people who know each other. Trust placed in the alleged perpetrator does not protect against the risk and can even delay understanding of what happened.
This media coverage also highlighted the importance of a rapid response: leaving the location, going to a medical facility, and collecting samples before the substance is eliminated.
A report submitted to the government in May 2025
On May 12, 2025, Sandrine Josso and Véronique Guillotin submitted a report on chemical submission to the government. Their work calls notably for a clearer national response, regular public awareness, and a better framework for supporting victims.
Among the highlighted directions are an annual national campaign and the development of a reference framework by the Haute Autorité de santé to harmonize care practices.
Why is a national reference framework necessary?
Victims today may encounter very different responses depending on the place, time, and professional consulted. Some are quickly directed to appropriate sampling; others face a lack of knowledge about toxicological deadlines or the mistaken idea that a prior complaint is always necessary before any care.
A common framework should help professionals know:
- which signs should suggest a forced exposure;
- which samples to take and within what timeframes;
- how to maintain traceability of samples;
- how to receive fragmented testimony without blame;
- to which medical, psychological, and legal structures to refer the person.
Informing the public without reducing the subject to GHB
A national campaign must explain that there is not just one substance involved. Medications, sedatives, stimulants, anesthetics, or other psychoactive products can be misused.
It must also distinguish chemical submission, when the product is administered without the person’s knowledge or under coercion, from chemical vulnerability, when a third party exploits voluntary consumption.
Giving real importance to prevention
Prevention cannot be limited to asking the public to watch their drink. It must also hold establishments accountable, train professionals, improve access to sampling, and guarantee non-judgmental support.
Glass protections and detection tools can complement this approach, but no rapid test detects all substances and no negative result can rule out chemical submission.
Simple steps to take in case of suspicion
- get to safety and stay with a trusted person;
- call 15 or 112 in case of serious illness;
- consult quickly, even if symptoms decrease;
- keep the drink, its container, and any available information;
- note the times and known consumptions;
- do not wait for a complete memory to ask for help.
From visibility to organizing care
The major contribution of the work by Sandrine Josso and Véronique Guillotin is to make chemical submission a cross-cutting issue: public health, justice, security, sexual violence, training, and access to analyses.
Success will be measured less by the number of campaigns than by a victim’s real ability to quickly obtain listening, care, and appropriate sampling everywhere in the territory.
