Corbeil‑Essonnes hospital unit sees surge in child abuse hearings after Lyhanna case

The Unit for the Reception of Children in Danger (Uaped) at the Centre Hospitalier Sud‑Francilien in Corbeil‑Essonnes, operating since November 2024, provides medical, forensic and psychological care for minors who are victims or witnesses of physical, sexual or psychological violence, as well as children exposed to domestic homicide.

In 2024 the unit heard 209 children, more than half on judicial request. Following the death of 11‑year‑old Lyhanna – whose body was found in early June in the Gers – Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin ordered all French prosecutors to reopen sexual‑violence cases involving minors. The directive caused the number of hearing requests to triple, creating longer scheduling delays. The unit has added an auxiliary nurse and plans to reinforce its team of nurses, paediatricians, a psychologist, forensic doctors and police investigators.

The purpose of the single‑location approach is to avoid children having to repeat their trauma. As the AFP observed, four minors were being heard that day in a specially designed, neutral interview room.