Lyhanna case drives surge in reported sexual violence against minors in France

The murder of 11‑year‑old Lyhanna in the Gers department this spring triggered a wave of public attention. Following Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin’s order for a comprehensive review of more than 85 000 dossiers of sexual offences against minors, the French internal security statistics service (SSMSI) recorded a sharp increase in reported cases.

In June, reports of sexual violence rose 77 % compared with previous months, and the review led to 1 753 new judicial investigations and the incarceration of 924 suspects. The SSMSI noted that the media coverage of the Lyhanna case may have encouraged additional victims to come forward. Overall, the number of victims recorded by police and gendarmerie grew from under 52 000 in 2016 to more than 132 000 last year, an average annual rise of about 11 %.