Children entrusted to ASE are still subjected to sexual violence once placed

Does the company adequately protect minors? This is the question asked by the Departmental Observatory on Violence against Women. Since 2002, this observatory has been supporting women and children of Seine-Saint-Denis who are victims of violence, thanks to measures adapted to each situation.

On the occasion of the 21st Meetings of the Departmental Observatory, organized this Thursday 9 March, the structure shared the results of a study carried out among 100 minors placed by Social Assistance for Childhood (ASE). The objective is to evaluate the effectiveness of the support and protection put in place. Unfortunately, the results reveal dramatic malfunctions.

Violence persists or even worsens after placement

At the time of the study, ie well after they were taken into charge by the ASE, the 100 minors examined had all suffered sexual violence. For 94 of them, this abuse was perpetrated by relatives, including 72% incest. This sordid introduction takes an intolerable turn when the study tells us that of these 100 children, “only” 67 were already victims of sexual abuse prior to placement. This means that for 33 of them the violence started after protective measures were put in place.

Also according to the study, 57 children were sexually abused during their placement, regardless of the reasons for this placement (physical violence, abandonment, etc.). Of these minors, 30 have been subjected to aggression in their family home by other young people (24) or by professionals and relatives of the latter (6). During family visits, 15 children were victims of sexual violence.

Identify situations of violence and take action

In The worldÉdouard Durand, a judge specializing in these issues and co-president of Ciivise (Independent Commission on Incest and Sexual Violence against Children) admits that he is not surprised by these results. What surprises him, however, “ is that the observatory and the department have the courage to say so”. Also, if saying it is a good start, actions must follow.

This violence has dramatic repercussions on children’s health. Most of them already have psychotraumatic disorders such as eating disorders, anxiety, risk-taking behaviors and sometimes suicidal thoughts.

With this study, the observatory hopes to enrich and develop its arsenal:

“Thanks to this work, which we will share with all our partners, we will be able to progress, improve practices and training in the identification of sexual violence”

Ernestine Ronai, head of the departmental Observatory, Le Monde, 9 March 2023

For his part, the president of Seine Saint-Denis, Stéphane Troussel, has just announced that his next plan for the prevention and protection of minors will contain an entire section dedicated to sexual violence. Among other things, it intends to make use of the tools distributed by Ciivise, such as the “Melissa” kit which allows for the training of actors interested in identifying and taking charge of situations of violence against minors. The department also plans to carry out preventive actions in family homes and to develop psycho-traumatic support dedicated to minors who are victims of sexual abuse.