In a rare joint statement, two influential French unions — the Union syndicale des magistrats (Union of Judges) and the syndicat des commissaires de la police nationale (National Police Commissioners' Union) — have criticized Gérald Darmanin, the French Minister of Justice (known as the Garde des Sceaux), for sending a letter to the Minister of the Interior. This letter, sent in late July and spanning 12 pages, outlined challenges faced by prosecutors in handling cases of sexual violence against minors. The unions argue that the letter, which referenced the Lyhanna case — a high-profile case involving the alleged abuse of a minor — was overly critical of the police. The unions, in a letter titled "Stop aux boucs émissaires" (Stop the Scapegoats), accused Darmanin of taking a "demagogic and sterile" stance. They expressed frustration with what they see as a pattern of blaming judges, police, and investigation services for systemic issues, rather than addressing the root causes. The unions called for an end to the search for scapegoats, emphasizing the need for support and resources rather than criticism. Laurent Nuñez, the Minister of the Interior, responded to these concerns on RTL, a French radio station. He disputed the idea of a "phantom stock" of unregistered cases of sexual violence against minors, a term used in Darmanin’s letter. Nuñez argued that just because cases are being handled by the police or gendarmerie does not mean they are unrecorded or forgotten in the judicial system. He stressed that there is no evidence suggesting that former Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo faces criminal responsibility for violence in school environments, as her legal team has argued. Nuñez also emphasized that he does not want to give the impression that cases are being ignored or left in limbo. He stated that all cases are being processed, with staff working in coordination with prosecutors' offices to prioritize cases effectively. His comments aim to reassure the public and the legal community that the system is functioning and that efforts are being made to address concerns raised by the unions.