“It’s much more comfortable to think that one parent is manipulating rather than the other committing incest. »
Mother of 3-year-old Louise, Pauline Bourgoin saw her life collapse in January 2022, when she received a phone call from kindergarten.
“They tell me my daughter trembles with every change. She is in a panic, paralyzed. They tell me they’ve never seen it, that something is very, very worrying. »
Pauline takes the time to question her daughter. Who is she afraid of? “It is there that he reveals to me that he has suffered a potential sexual assault by her father. »
At the time, the 32-year-old young woman admits to having been in the “rejection”. “I’m looking for all the hypotheses (…) Maybe it’s not him, maybe it’s the stepfather, my new partner. »
But the father’s behavior challenges Pauline. “He’s not at all worried about what he would suffer. He doesn’t look any further, he doesn’t inquire at the crib. »
“Too careful, too benevolent”
Pauline Bourgoin then made the decision to seek advice from 119, the national number dedicated to the protection of minors, and files a complaint against the daughter’s fatheron the recommendation of social services.
“If I don’t do it, it will mean that I am unable to protect my child and that they would take the matter to the juvenile court to do it for me. »
Pauline Bourgoin runs. “I thought that was the end of the problems, but it was just the beginning. »
A few weeks later, Louise’s mother was stunned when she received a call from social services informing her that they would be relocating the child.
“I am amazed, they tell me that I am too attentive to my daughter, too benevolent, (…) that my mental health raises questions. »
“I found myself a criminal”
In May the verdict falls: Louise is placed in foster care.
“I collapsed as soon as the judge announced the verdict. I call the social worker to find out how Louise’s departure is organised. She tells me she’s not getting organized because it’s already done. In fact, they took her in kindergarten. Three strangers kidnapped her. I had no right to know how he was, where he was. I didn’t even have the right to know if he was in good health. Nothing. I was entitled to publicized visits, that is, under the supervision of the social services, one hour every fortnight. I found myself like a criminal, like I shouldn’t have trusted my daughter to protect her. »
suspected to be parental alienation syndromecontroversial concept that designates the psychological manipulation that one of the parents would exercise on the child in case of separation to distract him from the other parent, Pauline Bourgoin publicized her story to alert the public to her situation and that of dozens of other protective parents , deprived of children after reporting sexual assaults.
Read also : “Fathers’ associations represent the macho movement”
It paid off: In November, he got Louise settled into his home. But his battle isn’t over yet. “When my case started publicizing last year, I received dozens and dozens of requests for help from protective parents in my situation”testifies Pauline Bourgoin, who now campaigns with the Protéger l’enfant and WeeToo Stop Child Abuse associations to help children and their protective parents, and breaking the taboo surrounding incest.
For to misshe agreed to tell his story and Louise’s, and to return to the fight that is now his: the one against incest and sexual violence against children.
To testify about Madmoizelle, write to us at:
[email protected]
We can’t wait to read from you!
Do you like our articles? You will love our newsletters! Sign up for free on this page.
Source: Madmoizelle
Mary Crossley is an author at “The Fashion Vibes”. She is a seasoned journalist who is dedicated to delivering the latest news to her readers. With a keen sense of what’s important, Mary covers a wide range of topics, from politics to lifestyle and everything in between.
