Nationwide Protests in France Demand Action Against Violence Toward Children

On November 15, 2025, hundreds of demonstrators gathered in Paris and around forty other French cities to protest against violence inflicted on children and adolescents. Organized by a coalition of 77 groups, the protests were staged in the lead-up to the International Day of the Rights of the Child on November 20. Similar demonstrations were also held in Brussels, underscoring the widespread concern about child abuse and exploitation across the region.

In Paris, participants voiced strong demands for systemic reforms to address child protection. Claire Bourdille, founder of the Collectif enfantiste, highlighted harrowing statistics: every year, 160,000 children in France suffer sexual violence, and a child is killed by their parents every five days. She also pointed to rising mental health issues among youth, noting that even nine-year-olds are now committing suicide.

Protesters called for the establishment of a dedicated ministry for childhood and permanent funding to ensure effective child protection programs. They urged implementation of the 82 recommendations issued by the independent commission on incest and sexual violence against children. Key legislative changes sought included the civil and criminal imprescriptibility of sexual crimes against minors and mandatory reporting of such offenses by professionals and parents. Yazid Zouanat, a participant, shared his personal experiences with childhood violence and stressed the vital role of education in preventing such suffering.

These coordinated demonstrations reflect growing public demand for political will and societal support to combat various forms of violence against children, including infanticide, incest, and exploitation. The protests symbolized a unified call for immediate and comprehensive measures to protect children's rights and welfare in France and beyond.