France and Germany boost support for sexual violence survivors and prevention

A Franceinfo report from Paris describes how adults who suffered sexual violence in childhood live with a persistent fear of becoming perpetrators themselves. The report cites the independent commission CIIVISE, which estimates that about 160,000 children in France are victims of sexual abuse each year and calls for long‑term psychotherapeutic help, better prevention, and training for professionals in schools, medicine, justice and social services.

In Stade, Germany, the Soroptimist International Club Stade contributed €4,300 to the local counselling centre against sexual abuse. The donation will fund the premiere of a puppet‑theatre play for kindergarten children and purchase additional materials, aiming to teach young children to recognise inappropriate touch, trust their instincts and seek help from adults.