France is set to expand its annual school questionnaire to include questions about sexual and gender-based violence, a move that could expose the true scale of abuse affecting minors. Education Minister Édouard Geffray announced on Monday that the survey, which reaches roughly 10 million pupils from the final year of pre-school through secondary education, will now probe experiences of violence that many children have never disclosed.
Speaking to several French regional newspapers, Geffray said he expects the results to be "seismic" given the prevalence of the problem. "One child in 10 is a victim of sexual violence in France," he stated, underscoring the urgency of the initiative.
The questionnaire will initially be anonymous, though pupils will have the option to provide their names if they wish to speak with a trusted adult. The questions are being developed in consultation with school staff, parents' associations, and a committee of experts including child psychiatrists.
Schools as a frontline for reporting
Geffray highlighted that France's national education system is the country's leading source of reports concerning violence against minors. In 2025, a total of 88,000 reports raising concerns about children were filed in connection with sexual violence or parental failings. The new survey aims to capture incidents that may otherwise go unnoticed, providing a clearer picture of the challenges facing young people.
The announcement comes amid growing public concern over the handling of sexual violence cases. Last autumn, several scandals emerged in after-school childcare services in Paris, leading to the suspension of dozens of activity leaders over allegations including sexual assault. Similar cases were reported elsewhere in France, prompting calls for systemic reform.
More recently, the death of 11-year-old Lyhanna, whose body was found in the Gers department in southwestern France in early June, triggered a fresh wave of outrage. The main suspect, Jérôme Barella, had previously been the subject of several complaints alleging sexual assault against minors but had not been questioned over them.
In response, Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin asked France's chief prosecutors to review complaints involving children. The review uncovered 85,047 complaints involving sexual violence against minors that were still being processed. The findings were forwarded to Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez.
The figure does not include so-called "phantom" cases—complaints or investigations that remained within the system but were not properly reflected in official records. In Nîmes, in southern France, magistrates discovered 3,972 pending cases within investigative services, nearly three times the 1,497 cases that had previously been recorded.
The survey is part of a broader effort to address these systemic failures. By asking pupils directly about their experiences, the government hopes to identify patterns and encourage more victims to come forward. The results, Geffray said, will inform future policy and resource allocation.
While the initiative has been welcomed by child protection advocates, some have questioned whether the education system is equipped to handle the potential surge in disclosures. The minister acknowledged that schools will need additional support, including training for staff and access to psychological services.
The survey is expected to be rolled out in the coming academic year, with results published in stages. As France grapples with the scale of the problem, the findings could reshape how the country addresses violence against children.
