The City of Paris has suspended 132 after-school program staff since January 1, 2025. Emmanuel Grégoire, the Socialist mayor of the capital, announced on Tuesday that 52 of them were suspended on suspicion of sexual or gender-based violence. The announcement came on the sidelines of a visit to a school in northwest Paris, several months after a scandal erupted following numerous reports targeting after-school program staff. Some of those implicated have already been placed in pretrial detention.
An independent commission to shed light on the matter
The mayor also announced the launch of an independent commission of inquiry into the matter, headed by Antoine Garapon, a former juvenile court judge. This body will have free rein to formulate recommendations aimed at better protecting children in Parisian after-school programs. Emmanuel Grégoire had already promised last April a €20 million action plan to strengthen security and supervision in these facilities, which welcome thousands of children every day.
Crisis of confidence in Parisian after-school programs
The French capital is facing an unprecedented crisis of confidence in the management of after-school programs. The mass suspensions attest to the seriousness of the problems revealed in recent months. Municipal authorities are now trying to regain the trust of families by increasing control and preventative measures, while judicial investigations continue to shed light on the allegations against the activity leaders involved.
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