More than 1,000 protesters flooded Place Vendome outside France’s Ministry of Justice in Paris on Monday, demanding tougher action on sexual violence three months after the death of 11-year-old Lyhanna.
Footage shows demonstrators chanting with banners and placards as the proposed legislation began its passage through a special commission in the National Assembly.
“These are crimes. When we talk about sexual violence, we’re not talking about a minor offence. We’re not talking about petty crimes — enough is enough! We won’t back down!” said Mouv Enfant National Secretary Suzanne Frugier.
The mobilisation followed the death of Lyhanna, who was found in the Gers department on June 4.
Jerome Barella, 41, has since been charged with her rape and murder. He had previously faced several allegations of sexual violence against minors and had been held in pre-trial detention before being transferred to another region and later released.
Several alerts about Barella’s online activity had also been sent to French police by the US-based National Center for Missing and Exploited Children before Lyhanna’s death. They were only discovered after the case emerged and had not been brought to the attention of the courts.
Violette, spokesperson for the 160000 Enfants association, said protesters wanted to turn their anger into action.
“We have the solution, and we’ve been calling for it for more than two years: a comprehensive law and the resources to back it up,” she added.
The Ecologists’ National Secretary Marine Tondelier also demanded political action.
“We want a country that’s child-friendly, one that’s attentive to their needs and gives them the place they deserve. […] This is a highly political issue; we must address it,” she said.
MPs are now examining the proposed law, with debate in the National Assembly expected to begin in early October. The legislation would introduce measures covering prevention, justice reform and support for victims.
Source: Viory
