France's Child Abuse Commission Urges Government to Accelerate Reforms

The independent Commission on incest and sexual violence against minors (Ciivise) released a report warning that 72% of its 82 recommendations remain not fully effective. Only 28% of measures are fully implemented, while 47% have been at least partially engaged. The commission highlighted the “Lyhanna” case – the 2022 murder of an 11‑year‑old schoolgirl – as a symbol of systemic failures, noting that more than six out of ten complaints are dismissed and just 3% of perpetrators are convicted.

Ciivise called on the French government, before the end of the presidential term, to make child protection the guiding principle of the penal and civil systems. It urged the Ministry of Health and Families to extend social‑security coverage to specialized psychotrauma care, to protect doctors who report abuse, to broaden the legal definition of incest, and to remove any statute of limitations for sexual crimes against minors. The report also cited progress such as a 90% rollout of awareness tools in schools and sports venues, the continued operation of the 119 hotline, and the establishment of dedicated child‑victim units (UAPED and “salles Mélanie”).