Starting in early November, France will begin distributing questionnaires to primary school students to help identify those who may have experienced sexual or sexist violence. These forms will be adapted for five different age groups, from the last year of kindergarten through the final year of high school. The initiative is part of a broader effort to support students who may be suffering in silence and to ensure they receive the help they need.
For younger children, from the last year of kindergarten up to CE1 (the first year of primary school), the questionnaires will be read aloud by an adult and include drawings that depict a child in various situations. These visuals are meant to help younger students express their feelings about safety at home, uncomfortable secrets, and contact with intimate body parts in contexts unrelated to care or hygiene. At the high school level, the questionnaires will include more direct questions about sexual assault and sexual acts that occur under duress. Students can choose to answer "yes," "no," or "I don't know," and they can decide whether to provide their name or remain anonymous.
Before distributing the questionnaires, students will participate in a session on affective and relational education (EVAR/EVARS), which aims to start conversations about healthy relationships and personal boundaries. The responses will be reviewed the same day to address any potential risk situations as soon as possible. If a student reports experiencing violence, they will be contacted immediately by a social worker, nurse, or psychologist from the National Education system. In cases where a student's response suggests a risk, legal action may be taken. If anonymous reports indicate violence within a class, targeted educational efforts will be organized to encourage more students to come forward.
The questionnaires will be administered by a teacher and a professional from the health or social services sector of the National Education system. Training for additional staff will start on October 1st, with the goal of training tens of thousands of educators by December 1st. This initiative reflects France's ongoing commitment to addressing and preventing sexual violence among students, ensuring that those affected can receive the support and protection they need.
France to Distribute Questionnaires to Students to Identify Sexual Violence
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Original sources:
- 🇫🇷France Info
- 🇫🇷LCP



