A 'Cash Investigation' report aired on France 2 on January 29 exposes severe dysfunctions in Paris's after-school care, including ignored alerts about suspicious animator behaviors. Several Paris mayoral candidates voice shock and demand inquiries and reforms. The Education Minister announces reports to the judiciary.
France 2's 'Cash Investigation' program, aired on Thursday, January 29, highlighted systemic issues in Paris's after-school care, where over five million children are hosted daily. Testimonies point to low pay, imposed part-time work, and fragmented schedules for animators, along with no recruitment framework. Parents report ignored alerts on suspicious behaviors, such as an animator kissing a child on the mouth in a 7th arrondissement nursery school.
Rachida Dati, LR mayor of the 7th and mayoral candidate, called these images 'unacceptable behaviors' and denounced an 'omerta' and 'systemic dysfunctions'. She demands a global inquiry, an emergency plan against assaults, and a overhaul of municipal activities.
LFI candidate Sophia Chikirou filed a resolution proposal for a parliamentary inquiry, asking: 'Who are the responsible parties? Why have alerts never been followed up?'
At Baudin nursery school in the 11th, a former animator faces trial in May for sexual assault on five children. First deputy Patrick Bloche admits a 'major dysfunction in the reporting process'.
Emmanuel Grégoire, candidate for the left-wing union excluding LFI and PS deputy, expresses 'shock and anger' at these 'unbearable violence situations' and 'unacceptable shortcomings'. A victim of after-school abuse in his youth, he calls for reviewing procedures, controls, and institutional culture.
On Friday, Education Minister Édouard Geffray announced on X reports to the judiciary under article 40 of the penal procedure code, and initiates administrative controls and sanctions: 'One single line: leave nothing unaddressed'. These revelations come ahead of the March 15 and 22 municipal elections.
