Advocate urges France to replace 'culture of rape' with protection framework
President of advocacy group tells FRANCE 24 that institutional response to sexual assault must begin with believing victims, as parliamentary debates on child protection legislation intensify.
France is currently navigating a period of intense scrutiny regarding its institutional handling of sexual violence, following a series of high-profile scandals that have exposed significant gaps in the reporting and investigation of sexual assault and child abuse. In response to these systemic failures, Solène Podevin-Favre, president of the advocacy group Face à l'Inceste, has called for a fundamental transformation in how the state and society approach these crimes.
Speaking to Mark Owen for FRANCE 24, Podevin-Favre argued that the prevailing environment must shift from what she described as a "culture of rape and incest" to one defined by "vigilance, protection, and belief in victims." Her comments underscore a growing demand for structural reform, suggesting that the current framework is insufficient to protect vulnerable populations or deliver justice to survivors.
The advocacy group’s president emphasised that the starting point for this cultural shift is the unconditional belief of victims. This stance comes as public confidence in existing mechanisms for handling complaints remains low, with recent cases highlighting persistent institutional inertia and procedural failures in addressing allegations of abuse.
These calls for reform coincide with broader legislative activity in France. Lawmakers are preparing to debate a new bill aimed at protecting children and combating violence in schools, drafted in the wake of the Bétharram school abuse scandal. That investigation revealed decades of mistreatment at a Catholic-run institution, further fueling demands for stronger safeguards and more rigorous oversight of care facilities.
The convergence of public advocacy and political action reflects a critical juncture in French governance. As authorities grapple with the legacy of past scandals, the pressure is mounting to implement policies that prioritise victim support and institutional accountability, moving beyond reactive measures to proactive protection.
