With more than 5 million students attending daycare or canteens, extracurricular time has become an essential part of family life. However, Élise Lucet’s investigation reveals the flaws of a system that is running out of steam. Insecurity, lack of training and emergency recruitment punctuate daily life.
“Cash investigation looked at the origins of the problem, namely the working and recruitment conditions of these facilitators. Many town halls are not very attentive to the profiles of applicants” explains the show’s team.
This lack of vigilance can have dramatic consequences. In Paris, 60 investigations into sexual violence in schools are currently underway. In the majority of cases, suspicion falls on the facilitators, authority figures who are supposed to guarantee the safety of the little ones.
The testimony of Jérôme and Anne: when school becomes a trap
The case of the small Baudin school, in the 11th arrondissement of Paris, illustrates the horror experienced by certain families. Jérôme and Anne (the first names have been changed) discovered that their 3 and a half year old daughter had been abused by a facilitator. “It was the day before the April school holidays.” remembers Anne, in the columns of the magazine She. “We learned that some children had been sexually assaulted, that two complaints had already been filed at the police station.”
The story of the “hug” mimed by the little girl, her hand slipped under the t-shirt, made her parents’ blood run cold. Even more serious, the institution seemed to be aware: the host had already been the subject of reports for serious acts as early as September 2024.
“There are several emails that have been reported since September in fact”protests the couple. This feeling of betrayal by the educational institution is one of the most painful points for the parents of victims.
Breaking the secret: teaching the child that his body belongs to him
To protect your child, you must first break the myth of the “dangerous stranger”. The threat most often comes from a loved one or a trusted person (teacher, facilitator, parent). “Prevention helps avoid mutism and reassures the child that he will be protected if he speaks.”insisted Dr Laurence Dulière, pediatrician, in a previous article for
True Medical.
Education in intimacy is the first line of defense. Specialists advise:
- Naming body parts without taboo, including the penis and buttocks;
- Learn the right to say no, even to an adult, for physical contact;
- Distinguish the secrets. “If he feels uncomfortable or if someone asks him about a worrying secret, he should know that he can and should talk about it to a trusted adult.” remind the experts.
Suspicion of violence: what reflexes to adopt?
If you have any doubts, or if your child says something confusing, your reaction is decisive. Panic can cause the child to close down for fear of hurting you.
- Active listening: Ask open-ended questions, without suggesting answers. Observe his games or his drawings;
- Do not trivialize: If the child mentions an inappropriate gesture, believe him. “The secret must be broken.”insist Dr Dulière and Sabine Walbert, psychologist,
- Act immediately: In case of suspicion, contact 119 (Allô Enfance en Danger) or file a complaint. Do not attempt to conduct the investigation alone within the school so as not to pollute future legal hearings.
The trauma linked to sexual violence in schools requires comprehensive care, both legal and psychological. As shown by the postponement of David G.’s trial to May 26, 2026, the legal process is long. But by making the home a free and secure space for speech, parents offer the child the most effective protection.