Storm in Paris: Dozens of educational institutions are being investigated on suspicion of sexual offenses

In recent days, France has been dealing with a particularly serious and widespread case of child abuse in kindergartens and schools – when the Paris police announced that they are looking into more than 100 allegations of abuse, physical violence and rape of small children allegedly committed by employees of educational institutions.

As part of the investigation, 84 kindergartens, about 20 elementary schools and about ten day care centers are being examined. Lawyers involved in the process said that the investigations also include suspicions of rape of 3- and 4-year-old children. The acts were allegedly committed during lunch breaks, rest hours and after-hours activities by “assistants” – employees of the educational institutions who are not qualified teachers or kindergarten teachers.

Today (Tuesday) the trial of one of the suspects in the case that has been going on for more than a year and shook the education system in the French capital will begin. 3 more trials are expected to take place during the summer, and according to estimates, many more indictments will still be filed. Last week the police arrested 16 people in a raid on 3 schools in Paris.

The affair created distrust and fear among parents of young children in the city, many of whom blamed the Paris municipality, the BBC reported. The municipality is the one that employs the helpers, who are only required to have a minimum qualification, and according to the claims, it did not take the parents’ complaints seriously.

Following the affair, the new mayor of Paris, Emmanuel Gregoire, pledged to reform the recruitment system with a budget of 20 million euros for the training and supervision of the assistants. In addition, the mayor pledged that the teaching assistants would be automatically suspended after submitting only one complaint – since the beginning of the year, almost 80 of them have been suspended.