Early in the week, the association Les Petits Invincibles organized another gathering in front of the courthouse. Around a hundred people came together to denounce the failures of the judicial system in protecting children who are victims of violence. A strong mobilization filled with emotion accompanied by touching testimonies.
An apolitical gathering for the protection of children
Anne-Cécile Collet, president of the association Les Petits Invincibles, opened the gathering with a speech on behalf of the collective. She recalled the shocking figures of 160,000 children sexually assaulted each year in France, with the vast majority of complaints being dismissed.
According to her words, the gathering was meant to be apolitical and pacifist, bringing together all perspectives around a single common objective.
Giving voice to victims
Several speakers took the floor throughout the evening. Two mothers from the nursery school in Saint Laurent du Var, where a teacher is facing multiple complaints for rape and sexual assault, came to tell their legal battle following the dismissal of their initial complaint.
Determined, they declared: “today we say it’s over”. They announced their intention to use multiple legal channels, including filing a complaint with the Superior Council of the Judiciary, as well as launching a solidarity fundraiser to cover their legal costs.
A young woman also testified about her assault which occurred when she was six years old. She shared that she understood that day that “you can survive an assault” and yet still face the violence of a system supposed to protect you. She explained that she is now writing a book to continue to amplify her voice.
Other mothers came to share their respective experiences: separation from their child, suspicion directed at them by the justice system, or difficulties in getting their daughter’s testimony heard after violence committed by a minor family member. One of them explained that she had remained silent for a long time before deciding that “shame should change sides.”
The mobilization then took on a more moving and musical turn with the arrival of a young girl, Romy. At the organizers’ request, she took the stage to perform “I Accuse” in a moment of great emotion shared with the engaged audience.
It could be anyone’s child
Anne-Cécile Collet returned to the objectives of this new mobilization, three weeks after a previous gathering in tribute to Lyhanna. She answered bluntly: “the will was to put at the center of this terrible iceberg, the voice of victims“. She adds that behind the figures cited by the association, “there are victims”, and that the goal was for the public to be able to put “a face on victims and on the inconsistencies of the justice system.”
The goal is “collective awareness,” she affirms, before clarifying that no one will be able to say anymore “we didn’t know.” A situation that, she insists, concerns everyone because “it could be anyone’s child.”
An evening where emotion was particularly palpable. Anne-Cécile Collet says she is satisfied with it, especially since some participants remained in the square once the speeches ended, a moment she considers essential: “some people will confide in you, some people will free their voice.“
Les Petits Invincibles continue their work on the ground, including a monthly discussion circle for victims and families of victims of sexual violence against minors.
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