Paris, France – Two animatrices have been suspended with immediate effect by Paris City Hall after a shocking exposé by the program “Cash Investigation” revealed instances of alleged inappropriate behavior towards children. The city announced the suspensions on Friday, January 30, confirming information initially reported by Le Parisien.
Administrative Inquiry Launched Amid Public Outcry
The decision to suspend the animatrices comes after footage from a hidden camera investigation, aired on France 2 on Thursday evening, showed them kissing children on the mouth and yelling at them. The City of Paris has also initiated an administrative inquiry into the matter.
Elisabeth Guthmann from the parent collective SOS périscolaire, present at a meeting held at the school on Friday morning, told franceinfo, “The city hall confirmed that an administrative inquiry was underway. The school is boiling, parents are outraged.”
Details of the “Cash Investigation” Report
The “Cash Investigation” report featured a journalist who secured employment as an animatrice in a kindergarten and filmed her observations with a hidden camera. The footage captured animatrices regularly shouting at young children, even when they were visibly distressed. Examples of recorded phrases include: “Silence! Sileeeeence!”, “You have lost the right to speak”, “Stay seated, don’t move”, and “Put away your chair before I get angry…”. One animatrice was also filmed repeatedly kissing a child on the mouth, reportedly humming, “I’m crazy about him.”
Minister of Education Takes Action
In response to the revelations, the Minister of National Education, Edouard Geffray, announced on X (formerly Twitter) that “several reports” had been made under Article 40 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. The Minister further stated, “Regarding the administrative powers of the National Education, I am also initiating control and sanction procedures without delay.”
Prominent political figures, including Rachida Dati and Emmanuel Grégoire, candidates for the mayor of Paris, have also publicly condemned the incidents.
The images, which sparked widespread indignation, were captured in a school playground in Bourg-la-Reine (Hauts-de-Seine) on September 2, 2024, by Serge Tenani/Hans Lucas/AFP.
Source: https://www.franceinfo.fr/societe/education/violences-dans-le-periscolaire-la-mairie-de-paris-suspend-deux-animatrices-avec-effet-immediat-apres-les-revelations-de-cash-investigation_7774481.html
