The Women’s Secretariat reported that 24 federal entities have already approved, enacted and published the reform to harmonize the crime of sexual abuse in their local legislation. He described it as a “transcendental advance” within the Comprehensive Plan against Sexual Abuse.
What changes with this reform?
The initiative was approved by the Senate, the Chamber of Deputies and published in the DOF on March 13, 2026. By unifying the criminal type, the disparity in criteria between states is eliminated. The actions considered as sexual abuse in both the public and private spheres are clarified.
The decree, presented by President Claudia Sheinbaum, reforms articles 260 and 266 Bis of the Federal Penal Code. It defines sexual abuse as any act of a sexual nature without the consent of the victim and without the purpose of copulation. Includes touching, caressing, body rubbing, exhibitions or explicit sexual representations. It is also considered sexual abuse when the victim is forced to expose her body.
Consent cannot be presumed from silence, passivity or lack of physical resistance. The penalties range from three to seven years in prison, a fine of 200 to 500 times the UMA, and the obligation to attend re-educational workshops with a gender perspective or provide social service. Compliance with this obligation is key to the conditional suspension of the process.
The crime will be prosecuted ex officio. The penalties increase by a third if circumstances such as physical, psychological or moral violence occur; participation of two or more people; unpopulated place; relationship of trust, sentimental, work or educational between the aggressor and the victim; when committed by a public servant, professional or religious minister taking advantage of his position; when the victim is under the influence of alcohol or drugs; in a state of pregnancy or postpartum; due to sexual orientation, gender identity or expression; or when the victim is in a state of defenselessness.
In the case of public servants, dismissal and disqualification are added for the same term of the sentence. For professionals and ministers of worship, disqualification from exercising their profession or position.




