The mayor of Tarnos, Marc Mabillet, has called for "maximum vigilance" after two incidents of sexual violence involving minors in the local after-school care program. The city is now implementing a broader strategy to prevent such incidents from happening again. These events have deeply affected the community, with two staff members from a leisure center being investigated. One was arrested in early July for alleged rapes and sexual assaults on children, while another was removed by the management in late August for sending pornographic material to a minor, an act deemed "incompatible with the profession."
In response to these incidents, the mayor has shifted the focus from merely managing the crisis to creating a proactive plan to combat sexual violence against children. On September 3, a working group was launched with representatives from the National Education system, psychologists, the Olympic and Sports Committee, and the local department. This group aims to improve safety in all child-friendly settings, including municipal services, sports and cultural associations, and schools. Some changes have already been made, such as modifying areas for naps and strengthening protocols for bathroom visits in the leisure centers.
The mayor also expressed concerns about the current system for checking the background of staff working with children. He explained that the current honorability check only looks at criminal records with convictions, not reports or online activity that might indicate problematic behavior. He believes there needs to be a more comprehensive system in place that also respects individuals' privacy.
The mayor noted that attendance at the leisure centers has dropped by about 20% this school year, likely due to the incidents and the resulting public concern. He also mentioned the challenges faced by professionals in the field, who are now being scrutinized more than ever. He emphasized the need to reassure parents and protect the professionals by implementing clear protocols that safeguard both children and staff.
In other news, a tattoo artist from Arras is on trial for sexual assaults and is currently in prison after a suicide attempt. Meanwhile, a teacher has reportedly been threatened with beheading, prompting calls from a union to raise awareness with school authorities. A federation of parents is pushing for stricter laws to address threats against teachers. In the Landes region, over 300 children were educated about the dangers of drowning in a lake. In Moselle, the medical records of thousands of minors are at risk of being destroyed due to space limitations in the archives.
Tarnos Implements Enhanced Measures After Sexual Violence Cases in After-School Care
AI-rewritten from original reportingHow it works
tarnoseducationchildcare



