France and Belgium seek stronger response to child sexual abuse

French child‑psychiatrists warn that a large share of male child‑sex offenders were themselves victims, citing figures of four out of ten adult abusers and seven out of ten minors who had previously suffered abuse. They call for systematic early screening, free treatment for victims and perpetrators, and a comprehensive law against sexual violence on women and children to be examined in the French Assembly in September‑October. The experts note that 160,000 French children experience incest or sexual violence each year and that a long‑standing anonymous hotline lacks resources, while Germany’s confidential pre‑emptive care model is presented as a possible template.

In Belgium, police investigators describe a specialised 28‑day “Technical Audition of Minors” (TAM) programme that trains officers in respectful, progressive, non‑suggestive interviewing techniques, including the funnel method that moves from general to specific questions. The training aims to protect children’s testimony while providing reliable evidence for courts. Annual numbers of TAM‑qualified officers have risen to around 100‑120 since 2018, reflecting growing demand for skilled handling of child‑sexual‑abuse cases.