Despite progress at both institutional and legislative levels, two UN specialists reported concerning allegations regarding the lack of immediate protective measures in certain cases of alleged violence.
Reem Alsalem, Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls, and Kihara-Hunt, Special Rapporteur on child sexual abuse and exploitation, were appointed by the UN Human Rights Council, although they do not speak on behalf of the organization.
According to information provided to the specialists, some children who reported paternal violence remain subject to visitation and accommodation rights during criminal investigations or judicial proceedings in certain situations.
Alsalem and Hunt also highlight that mothers seeking to protect their children from violence risks may face charges for child absence, criminal sanctions, restrictions on parental authority, or protective measures directed at them.
Additionally, the rapporteurs expressed concern over obstacles in reporting child sexual violence, arguing that given credible allegations, authorities must ensure that the best interest of the child is the highest priority in all judicial and administrative decisions.
Concurrently, the specialists acknowledged the efforts made by France to strengthen the legal and institutional framework in combating these forms of violence.
Cited points include the extension of the mandate of the Independent Commission on Incest and Sexual Violence Against Children (Ciivise) until October 2026, the implementation of measures to improve the handling of violence reports in the education sector, and the reform brought by the law of November 6, 2025, which incorporates the concept of consent into the criminal definition of sexual assault and violation.
Last June, Ciivise had requested the French government to accelerate its actions against child sexual violence. The commission observed that only three-quarters of the 82 recommendations issued at the end of 2023 to combat juvenile crime had been fully implemented.
The French National Assembly is about to debate a comprehensive bill against sexual and sexist violence, aiming to respond to multiple cases of sexual violence, including pedophilic crimes, which have recently generated significant public outcry.
The specialists reiterated that states have a duty to act with due diligence to prevent, investigate, punish, and remedy acts of violence against women and children, even when such acts occur in the family environment.