France pushes for new law against sexual violence after Lyhanna murder

An 11‑year‑old girl, Lyhanna, vanished on 29 May 2026 in Fleurance, Gers, and her body was found on 4 June in a deserted farm near Puycasquier. A local man, Jérôme Barella, was placed in custody and charged after video evidence showed him picking her up in his vehicle. The case sparked nationwide outrage over perceived failures of the French justice system to protect children.

On 22 June, a large demonstration assembled in front of the Ministry of Justice in Paris. Organisers and participants, including television presenter Flavie Flament, singer Lio, actress Andréa Bescond and politician Marine Tondelier, called for the insertion of a law‑framework on violence against women and children into the parliamentary agenda. Protesters demanded stronger preventive measures, faster judicial response to alerts, and harsher penalties for sexual offences against minors.