Thousands Gather in France to Protest Handling of Child Sexual Violence Cases

Euronews reported that thousands of people gathered across France on Saturday to demand government action against sexual violence. The protests followed the rape and murder of 11-year-old Lyhanna, who went missing on 29 May in Fleurance and whose body was later found in an abandoned silo.

The main suspect, a 41-year-old father of one of Lyhanna's school friends, had twice before been formally accused of raping a child, but those investigations were dropped or stalled, Euronews reported.

Feminist and child protection associations called for recognition of the systemic nature of sexual violence and passage of a comprehensive law. Anne-Cécile Mailfert, president of the Women’s Foundation, stated before the Paris demonstration that the justice system protects aggressors rather than victims. She noted that 94 percent of rape complaints in France are dismissed without further action.

The Paris march began shortly after 3 pm from the Place de la Bastille and proceeded toward the Place de la Nation. Similar demonstrations were announced in about 80 cities, including Agen, Dijon and Toulouse. Last month President Emmanuel Macron said there had been clear malfunctions and that authorities must distinguish between individual responsibilities and systemic lapses.

Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin apologized for a huge failure in the Lyhanna case and on 8 June instructed prosecutors to review some 70,000 outstanding child sexual abuse cases by 14 July. Darmanin said no senior judge would go on holiday until he had met each chief prosecutor. France has among the fewest professional judges in Europe, according to Council of Europe data.