A rare public trial opens in Paris child abuse case as parents seek a national wake-up call

The Independent describes its reporting approach and funding model, emphasizing on-the-ground journalism and avoiding paywalls. Parents’ groups in France sought greater attention to long-ignored child abuse scandals as a rare public trial began in Paris. The trial involves a school assistant accused of sexually assaulting nine children. The parents agreed to open proceedings after being inspired by Gisele Pelicot’s decision to make her trial public. In France, trials involving minors are typically held behind closed doors. The case began in April 2025 after children allegedly disclosed abuse at a nursery school. The accused man, 36, is accused of assaults while supervising children in bathrooms, during lunch breaks, and in after-school care between August 2024 and April 2025. He denies the allegations. The children are aged 3 to 5 and are not required to attend the trial.

"Parents of the children agreed to open the proceedings, inspired by Gisele Pelicot 's decision to make her harrowing drug and rape trial public. In France, trials involving minors are usually held behind closed doors. According to their lawyers, some parents said they were following the example of Pelicot and her motto that shame must change sides to abusers, not victims."

"The Paris case emerged in April 2025 after several children told their parents they allegedly had been sexually abused at a nursery school. The defendant, 36, who has not been publicly identified, is accused of assaulting children while supervising them in bathrooms, during lunch breaks and in after-school care between August 2024 and April 2025. He has denied any sexual abuse against children."

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