Paris and wider France is being shaken to its core by serious allegations of sexual abuse within Paris’ after-school care system (“périscolaire”).
The accusations have have shocked the public and raised urgent questions about child protection, oversight, and institutional responsibility.
The claims involve incidents dating back more than a decade and concern approximately 200 staff members, of whom 78 are reportedly under investigation for sexual offenses. These cases span at least nine Paris arrondissements, suggesting a systemic issue rather than isolated incidents.
Some districts appear particularly affected. In the 11th arrondissement, eight activity leaders (“animateurs”) have been implicated.
In the affluent 7th arrondissement, the situation is especially alarming: At École Saint-Dominique, nine out of 15 staff members are reportedly being prosecuted with more than 30 complaints, for serious offences, including rape. The alleged victims are very young children, aged between three and five.
The term “périscolaire” refers to the supervision of children outside formal classroom hours, including lunch breaks, naps, and after-school care. The accused staff members are employed by the City of Paris, not the Ministry of Education, which has raised concerns about gaps in oversight and accountability.
Observers link the origins of the problem to a 2014 reform introducing a 4.5-day school week. As children began finishing school earlier, municipalities had to recruit large numbers of staff quickly.
Critics argue hiring processes were rushed, with insufficient background checks and limited attention to qualifications. This may have created conditions in which abuse could occur more easily.
There are also suspicions of a “code of silence” among some staff members, allowing abusive behavior to go unreported. Reports suggest that in some schools, problematic behavior was visible but not addressed.
Despite some measures being introduced — such as brief training programmes lasting only two days — many critics consider the response inadequate.
Meanwhile, numerous parents’ collectives have formed to demand accountability and break what they describe as a culture of silence. A petition signed by 750 parents has called for sanctions, particularly in the 7th and 15th arrondissements.
On April 3, the Mayor of Paris announced a €20 million action plan aimed at restoring trust. Measures include “zero tolerance”, full transparency, a simplified reporting system accessible to staff, parents and children and the creation of an independent review commission.
A citizens’ convention on after-school care is also planned to rethink how children’s time is organised.
Today, the collective SOS Périscolaire met with the national government at Matignon, urging action at a national level.
While Paris stands out for the scale of the allegations, similar issues have been reported elsewhere, suggesting a broader structural problem.
