PARIS, France — The Paris city council on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, approved a €20 million plan aimed at addressing sexual abuse in after-school programmes, following a series of cases involving minors.
The initiative, introduced under the administration of newly elected mayor Emmanuel Grégoire, includes measures to strengthen reporting systems, redesign school spaces and expand training for staff involved in extracurricular activities.
Grégoire described the issue as the “absolute priority” of his first term, stating that “every instance of violence against a child will result in the immediate suspension of the agent concerned,” adding that those involved “will not be able to work with children again in the city of Paris.”
Measures Focus on Prevention and Reporting
Under the plan, the city will simplify reporting procedures and establish a dedicated hotline for parents.
It also proposes redesigning “sensitive” areas in schools, including toilet facilities, to reduce the likelihood of adults being alone with children.
The council also plans to invest in staff development by creating a specialised training institution for after-school activity leaders.
The measures have been welcomed by advocacy groups and parents. Elisabeth Guthmann, co-founder of the SOS Périscolaire collective, said, “It’s a step in the right direction.
This addresses everything we’ve been asking for since 2021. The reporting system was dysfunctional.”
Debate Over Surveillance and Staffing
Members of the opposition, led by Rachida Dati and Grégory Canal, proposed the introduction of CCTV cameras in more than 620 schools across the capital, estimating the cost at less than €10 million.
The proposal drew criticism from labour unions, who argued it would be impractical.
Nicolas Léger, secretary-general of the Supap-FSU public service union, said, “To claim that this will prevent acts of violence makes no sense.”
Unions have instead called for increased staffing levels, reduced staff-to-child ratios and improved support for children with special needs, citing reliance on temporary workers within the sector.
National Measures Under Consideration
At the national level, Sarah El Haïry has called for broader background checks for individuals working with children across all sectors.
She urged authorities to “believe the children, believe the parents, and hold accountable those who knew and were alerted,” while advocating for streamlined vetting procedures.
Proposed legislation being prepared by Stéphanie Rist and Gérald Darmanin is expected to standardise background checks and improve information sharing to prevent individuals with criminal records from working with children in different sectors.
El Haïry said that since new certification requirements were introduced last October, nearly 3,000 individuals had been excluded from child-related roles.
Political Context
The issue of child safety in after-school settings was a central topic during the recent Paris municipal campaign.
Critics had questioned Grégoire’s record on the matter during his previous tenure on the city council, though he said he had not been in office after becoming a member of parliament.
Grégoire has also spoken publicly about his own experience of abuse as a child, saying he was a victim while in primary school.
The approved plan marks one of the administration’s first major policy initiatives aimed at strengthening child protection in the city’s education system.
