A teacher at a private school in Chauny, Aisne, was taken into custody Monday evening as part of a judicial investigation into sexual misconduct involving a 14-year-old girl. The 35-year-old man teaches history and geography at the school.
The investigation was opened based on suspicions of a sexual relationship between an adult and a minor under the age of 15. The Laon prosecutor's office specified that the teacher was heard for acts classified criminally as rape of a minor, due to the age difference, although the exact nature of the acts alleged remains to be established at this stage.
Immediate suspension and ongoing investigation
Having been informed of the situation, the Amiens regional education authority decided to suspend the teacher as a precautionary measure to prevent any contact with students while the investigation is underway. The school administration, which claims to have received no prior reports, says it discovered the events with shock and plans to implement a support system for the school community.
The legal framework stipulates that any sexual relationship between an adult and a minor under the age of 15 constitutes an offense, regardless of whether violence or coercion is involved. The investigation continues under the authority of the public prosecutor's office, and the teacher faces a sentence of up to twenty years' imprisonment if prosecuted.
