France is intensifying efforts to combat child abuse by installing special mailboxes in schools, enabling children to confidentially report mistreatment. On Thursday, a primary school in Paris became the latest to adopt this initiative, marking the first installation in the capital. Nationwide, approximately 360 such mailboxes have been deployed.
The program, led by the child protection association Les Papillons (The Butterflies), operates under the motto: “If you can’t say it, write it.” It provides children with a discreet method to report abuse, especially when verbal communication is challenging. Laurent Boyet, a police officer and founder of Les Papillons, emphasized the importance of listening to victims, noting that while more children are coming forward, adequate support systems are still lacking.
In June 2022, the effectiveness of the mailbox system was demonstrated when a 10-year-old girl in eastern France reported her grandfather for alleged incestuous rape. This led to his arrest and subsequent 12-year prison sentence. Such cases underscore the critical role these mailboxes play in uncovering hidden abuse.
Over the past year, more than 30,000 messages have been submitted through these mailboxes. While many reports concern school-related issues like harassment and physical abuse, about 10% pertain to domestic situations, with over half involving physical violence and some indicating sexual abuse within the family.
The process is designed to ensure timely intervention. Children receive guidance on how to use the mailboxes, including forms where they can indicate if they need help for themselves or a friend, name the abuser, and describe the situation. Local police collect the messages twice weekly and forward them to the association’s experts, including psychologists, for assessment. Serious cases are promptly referred to law enforcement for investigation.
This initiative reflects a broader movement in France to break the silence surrounding sexual violence and child abuse, encouraging victims to come forward and ensuring they receive the necessary support.
