French Prosecutors Charge 10 in Child Rape Investigation Linked to “Chemsex” Parties

French authorities have charged ten men in connection with the alleged rape and sexual assault of a five-year-old boy, who prosecutors say was drugged during so-called “chemsex” encounters.

The Lille prosecutor’s office announced the charges on Tuesday, stating the investigation began in February 2025 after reports of a chemsex party held the previous night in the northern city. The child is alleged to have been “put in contact with adult males by his own father” and subjected to “acts of sexual violence aggravated by the use of chemical substances.”

The case has been referred to an investigating judge for acts committed between November 2024 and February 2025, including charges of rape and sexual assault involving administering a substance to impair the victim’s judgment.

Following the probe, the ten accused men, aged between 29 and 50, were formally charged. According to local reports, at least one suspect was charged not for direct participation but for failing to report a related video to authorities.

One of the main suspects died by suicide while in pretrial detention in June of last year, the prosecutor’s office confirmed. The child is now in the care of his mother, from whom the father had separated prior to the alleged abuse.

The case has drawn attention to the practice of “chemsex” the use of powerful drugs to intensify sexual experiences which has become a concern in parts of Europe’s gay community. Health professionals warn the trend carries serious risks, including addiction, overdose, and increased transmission of infections such as HIV.