PARIS — A new initiative has introduced a dedicated mailbox for children to report abuse at a primary school in Paris, marking a significant first for the city. This initiative is part of a broader national campaign aimed at empowering victims of sexual violence to come forward and share their experiences.
To date, around 360 of these mailboxes have been installed across France, allowing children to anonymously drop letters that will be evaluated by child protection experts. Supported by the child advocacy organization Les Papillons, which translates to “Butterflies,” the program encourages children to express themselves with the motto: “If you can’t say it, write it.” This comes as part of a movement to dismantle the stigma surrounding sexual abuse and reframe the narrative to diminish the feelings of shame often felt by victims. A notable case surrounding this movement involved Gisèle Pélicot, who bravely testified about her experience of being drugged and raped by her ex-husband, becoming a prominent figure in the fight against sexual violence in France.
On June 2022, the impactful role of these mailboxes became evident; on its first day in a school in eastern France, a 10-year-old girl used the mailbox to report her grandfather for what appeared to be sexual abuse. Investigation revealed that she and two other girls in her family had allegedly suffered from incest for an extended period. The grandfather was subsequently found guilty and sentenced to 12 years in prison.
Statistics from Les Papillons indicate that about 2.4% of the messages received lead to reports to local child protection services, which are responsible for ensuring necessary interventions. Meanwhile, 1.4% of these messages are escalated directly to prosecutors, prompting police investigations in accordance with French laws regarding instances of “serious and imminent danger” to children.
In the past year alone, more than 30,000 children utilized these mailboxes, offering a chilling glimpse into the prevalence of child abuse across France. Many of the reports involved incidents occurring in school settings, which ranged from harassment to physical violence. Additionally, about 10% of reports came from at home, over half of which involved physical violence, and some even detailed instances of sexual abuse within the family.
Laurent Boyet, the police officer behind the launch of Les Papillons and an advocate for victims, expressed a sense of optimism about the changing attitudes toward speaking out about abuse. “The main thing that has changed and I think it’s great, is that victims are less and less reluctant to talk,” he shared. However, he noted that there is still a disconnect in ensuring that the victims’ voices are adequately heard and understood.
At the Paris primary school where the new mailbox was introduced, children will receive guidance on how to use it effectively. The initiative provides paper forms that allow children to indicate whether they need help for themselves or for a friend, alongside a line to name their abuser and describe their situation. Géraldine Gythiel, the school’s director, emphasized the therapeutic aspect of writing, stating that it allows children the opportunity to express themselves in their own time since speaking with adults can be daunting.
Local police officers are scheduled to collect the messages bi-weekly, and these will be forwarded to a team of professionals, including psychologists, for evaluation. Any cases deemed urgent will be prioritized and sent directly to law enforcement to support any required investigations. For issues such as bullying, the association collaborates with educators to devise supportive strategies. In other instances, the team may reach out to a child’s parents to offer additional support and counseling, aiming to address the situation comprehensively.
