France to review 70,000 allegations of violence against minors after girl's death
By ReutersReuters
PARIS - French Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin said on Monday he had told public prosecutors to review 70,000 ongoing allegations of violence against minors, after an outcry over the death an 11-year-old girl.
• The girl's death caused outrage after authorities said they had not acted on previous child rape allegations against the main suspect.
• The case marked a "terrible failure from the state, and of the justice system," Darmanin said.
• Prosecutors had to review all formal complaints filed with authorities across the country by July 14 as "an absolute priority," he added.
• Asked if he would resign, Darmanin said: "If any shortcomings are identified, I will take responsibility and propose disciplinary actions ranging from a reprimand to dismissal."
• Lawmakers across the political spectrum said the case highlighted the justice system's failure to protect women and children from sexual violence.
(Reporting by Hugo Lhomedet; Editing by Dominique Vidalon and Andrew Heavens)
People attend a demonstration, amid nationwide calls to protest the handling by the criminal justice system of previous complaints involving child victims against the main suspect in the killing of 11-year-old Lyhanna, whose body was discovered near Fleurance after a days-long search, near the Paris courthouse, France, June 8, 2026, in a protest supported by the #NousToutes movement. The sign reads: "Justice for Lyhanna". REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes Gonzalo Fuentes Reuters
People attend a demonstration, amid nationwide calls to protest the handling by the criminal justice system of previous complaints involving child victims against the main suspect in the killing of 11-year-old Lyhanna, whose body was discovered near Fleurance after a days-long search, near the Paris courthouse, France, June 8, 2026, in a protest supported by the #NousToutes movement. The sign reads: "Children first". REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes Gonzalo Fuentes Reuters
People attend a demonstration, amid nationwide calls to protest the handling by the criminal justice system of previous complaints involving child victims against the main suspect in the killing of 11-year-old Lyhanna, whose body was discovered near Fleurance after a days-long search, near the Paris courthouse, France, June 8, 2026, in a protest supported by the #NousToutes movement. The sign reads: "That's enough". REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes Gonzalo Fuentes Reuters
French Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin speaks during a press conference at the Ministry of Justice in Paris following a working meeting with France's chief prosecutors, whom he asked to re-examine complaints concerning child victims following the Lyhanna case and the discovery of the 11-year-old girl's body near Fleurance, as well as revelations concerning accusations of rape of minors - some of which were subsequently dismissed - made against the suspect, France, June 8, 2026. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes Gonzalo Fuentes Reuters
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This story was originally published June 8, 2026 at 10:41 AM.
