Lyon Re-examines 3,225 Child Violence Complaints After Lyhanna Case: An Attorney’s Warning
The Ministry of Justice, led by Gérald Darmanin, is pushing for greater transparency in addressing violence against minors. On Wednesday, July 15th, an update was provided on the nationwide review of complaints related to child abuse. This comprehensive review was initiated following the tragic murder of young Lyhanna, a case that exposed significant systemic failures within the judicial system.
In Lyon, the Public Prosecutor’s Office has meticulously re-examined 3,225 complaints concerning offenses against minors. However, further details regarding the nature and outcomes of these re-examinations have not yet been released.
The Public Prosecutor’s Office in Lyon Remains Silent
Despite inquiries, the Lyon court has not provided additional information at this time.
The Minister of Justice stated that nationally, “1,350 judicial inquiries have been opened, representing a 309% increase.” He further noted that in 83.5% of cases, an perpetrator has been identified, and 91.4% of those implicated had no prior convictions.
Initial Action Must Continue
This initiative by the Ministry of Justice has been met with approval, as explained by Maître Jean Sannier, a lawyer specializing in pedocriminal cases at the Lyon bar, in an interview with actu Lyon. “When the Ministry of Justice puts its foot down, it provokes a reaction. And it must be said that it has been done quite well since we have reached 85,000 complaints. That was much more than what was initially mentioned.”
However, for these figures not to remain a mere “flash in the pan,” the follow-up to these reviews will be equally vital. 675 individuals have been incarcerated since June 8th, according to the Chancellery. “Will there be an audit of all this?” wonders Me Sannier. “There was this exceptional event (the Lyhanna case), and I hope we won’t quickly move on because current events will take us elsewhere.”
A Stronger Judicial Response
Nevertheless, the lawyer questions the national average of 14.2 months for the age of files mentioned by the minister, which does not seem to correspond to the reality on the ground. Citing several local cases he or his colleagues have handled, including the scandal of Father Jérôme Billioud, the lawyer estimates that in many cases, “it can drag on for up to two years or even more.”
The question of accountability also arises for the practitioner. “Will we finally sanction, or will we wait for another death?” Jérôme Barella, now indicted for rape and murder of a minor, was targeted by at least four procedures concerning sexual violence against minors before the disappearance of Lyhanna, 11, in the Gers.
Systemic Change Required
For the lawyer, violence against minors can only truly turn a corner when the real underlying problems are addressed head-on: “We truly need to change the paradigm; we need a general assembly for childhood.”
The way these types of cases are handled must also evolve, according to him: “It is difficult to provide material proof in cases of violence against minors, especially when it occurs within the family. We also need to believe the children’s words,” concludes Me Sannier.
