Full Breakdown
France Launches Nationwide Survey on Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in Schools
8/25/2026, 10:18:06 PM
New Nationwide Survey on Sexual Violence in Schools
The French Ministry of Education will incorporate questions on sexual and gender-based violence into its annual questionnaire, which is completed by roughly 10 million pupils from the final year of preschool through the end of secondary education. The questionnaire will be anonymous by default, but students may choose to provide their name to speak with a trusted adult. The survey’s design will involve school staff, parents’ associations and a committee of experts that includes child psychiatrists.
Background and Context
The move follows a series of high-profile cases that have heightened public concern about the handling of sexual violence against children. Last autumn, allegations of sexual abuse in after-school childcare services in Paris led to the suspension of dozens of activity leaders. More recently, the murder of an 11-year-old girl in the Gers department sparked outrage after it emerged that the main suspect, Jérôme Barella, had previously faced multiple complaints of sexual assault against minors that had not been investigated.
Key Data and Statistics
- One child in ten is estimated to be a victim of sexual violence in France, according to Education Minister Édouard Geffray.
- In 2025, 88 000 reports concerning children were filed that related to sexual violence or parental failings.
- Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin reported that 85 047 complaints involving sexual violence against minors remain under review.
- In Nîmes, magistrates identified 3 972 pending cases within investigative services, nearly three times the 1 497 cases previously recorded.
Official Statements & Responses
Education Minister Édouard Geffray said the survey is expected to generate “seismic results” given the scale of the problem. He emphasized that the national education system is the leading source of reports on violence against minors. Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin asked chief prosecutors to review all complaints involving children, and the findings were forwarded to Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez for further action.
Implications
The extensive data collection aims to provide a clearer picture of the prevalence of sexual and gender-based violence among French pupils, potentially informing policy reforms and resource allocation. By allowing students to disclose experiences anonymously or seek adult support, the initiative seeks to improve reporting mechanisms and address the backlog of pending cases that have hampered earlier investigations.
