Hundreds of alleged cases of physical and sexual assault against children in French nurseries and elementary schools have revealed deep flaws in the system, experts say. They argue that reforms are urgently needed, but current plans do not go far enough.

Charlotte (name changed) told DW that her 4-year-old son was sexually assaulted by a teaching assistant named Ryan at Gustave Bienvetu school in the Paris suburb of Colombes. "At first, I thought I had misunderstood — it seemed unimaginable that this should happen to my son. When it finally sunk in, it felt like the heavens were falling down on me," she said.

Charlotte and her husband alerted the school and town hall. The assistant was suspended immediately, but other measures were delayed. According to Charlotte, the mayor's office should have alerted the prosecutor immediately but did so only two weeks later. She and two other families filed complaints for sexual assault.

Anne, co-founder of SOS Periscolaires, which tracks abuse cases, said this is a recurring pattern: over 500 cases of sexual or physical violence have been registered since 2021. She believes the teaching assistant sector has become a "playground for predators" because it is easy to get hired. In about 40% of cases managed by private companies, assistants need no training and no background check.

Jean-Michel Bocquet, a lecturer at Sorbonne Paris Nord University, noted that even when managed by town halls, assistants undergo only four weeks of training. His research shows that the preferred profile is a man with authority and humor, which increases the chance of recruiting sexual predators.

Sociologist Jerome Camus from the University of Tours explained that a 2013 school reform shortened school days and extended non-teaching periods, requiring 2 million assistants instead of 1 million. Moreover, until the 1980s, leisure time was meant for cultural activities; now it is merely about supervision.

Paris Mayor Emmanuel Gregoire, elected in March, confirmed that over 130 assistants have been suspended since the start of the year, 52 for alleged sexual assault. He announced a €20 million action plan including an audit, better training and background checks, an efficient alert system, and support for families.

Nationally, several draft laws are being considered, mostly focusing on strengthening background checks. However, experts doubt the measures are sufficient. Bocquet said, "Even the Paris plan is too vague. Assistants need thorough qualifications to detect inappropriate behavior in colleagues."

Charlotte is calling for a nationwide overhaul: "Assistants should be paid properly and always work in pairs. Authorities should install cameras in school corridors. Parents should be better informed about how to detect signs of abuse."

Source: www.dw.com