Paris ex-mayor cites collective failure as police probe 200 child abuse claims in city schools

Paris’s former mayor Anne Hidalgo on Tuesday described the situation as a “collective failure” after police launched an investigation into more than 200 allegations of violence, mistreatment and sexual abuse involving the city’s state‑run nurseries and primary schools. The complaints, which span over a decade, encompass a range of abusive conduct directed at children and have prompted authorities to scrutinise the safeguarding procedures of the municipal education network.

The investigation, led by the Paris police and coordinated with child protection services, will examine records, interview former staff and pupils, and assess the oversight mechanisms that were in place during the alleged incidents. Officials have pledged to identify any systemic shortcomings and to implement corrective measures to prevent future abuse. As the inquiry proceeds, the city has pledged full cooperation with investigators and reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring the safety and well‑being of all students in public schools.