Sexual violence against children: the axes of a future plan unveiled in the Council of Ministers

The government is preparing for mid-September a plan against violence against children, centered on sexual violence, according to the Secretary of State for Children Charlotte Caubel who must detail the axes in the Council of Ministers on Wednesday

Sexual violence against children: the axes of a future plan unveiled in the Council of Ministers

The government is preparing for mid-September a plan against violence against children, centered on sexual violence, according to the Secretary of State for Children Charlotte Caubel who must detail the axes in the Council of Ministers on Wednesday.

"We are in a tragic situation today: a child dies every five days in his family environment as a result of violence. Two to three children per class will suffer from phenomena of incest. This concerns one in ten adults. A child gets sexually assaulted every three minutes," Caubel told AFP.

She wishes to "challenge her colleagues" from the government: "the fight against violence against children must become a fight at the height of the fight that we have waged against violence against women", she said.

The Secretary of State wants to broadcast "a road safety type shock campaign" to sensitize society on incest, in mid-September shortly after the start of the school year.

"The figures are astronomical and no one wants to see them. Everyone needs to open their eyes, that all adults feel concerned," explains Ms. Caubel.

The plan also aims to equip professionals in contact with children to better detect and report sexual violence: training will be put in place based on the tools developed by the Independent Commission on Incest and Sexual Violence Against Children (Ciivise) .

The plan also intends to create a platform to support and guide professionals who have suspicions.

"I want the government to speak out to mobilize society: it doesn't just happen to others, it's massive, pay attention to your children and ask yourself about the behavior you have towards them," said Ms. Caubel. .

This 2023-27 plan will take over from the 2020-22 plan against violence against children launched during the first five-year period.

The fight against violence against children must be approached by "a collective and cross-cutting approach", because violence takes place at school, at the sports club, on digital media, notes Ms. Caubel, judging that it is necessary to "empower the parents of bullying children".

After the suicide of the young Lindsay victim of harassment, "young people have made a group I will be at your funeral and I am delighted", she remarks, judging that "we are also on a slope of decivilization".

07/06/2023 10:59:50 -         Paris (AFP) -         © 2023 AFP