Lyhanna Affair: Camille Kouchner Criticizes Response to Sexual Violence

Paris – 16.06.2026: Camille Kouchner, Professor of Private Law at the University Paris-Cité, spoke on June 16, 2026, in the Franceinfo program “11h/13h” about the background and consequences of the affair surrounding 11-year-old Lyhanna. Kouchner criticized the reaction so far to sexual violence as insufficient and emphasized that the problems are less a result of individual failure than systemic deficiencies. She highlighted that the expression “‘Celui de trop'” (“the one too many”) was not very meaningful, since the previous abuse had already been “one too many.”

The Lyhanna case has sparked a broad debate in France about the protection of children and women from sexual violence. Eleven-year-old Lyhanna was found dead on June 4, 2026, in the Gers region. The main suspect is Jérôme Barella, 41 years old, who was previously known for sexual abuse of minors. In 2013, a report of sexual abuse was filed against his father, Joël Barella. These investigations were closed in 2021 but were reopened in connection with the Lyhanna affair.

In view of the tragedy, politicians and civil society organizations are calling for comprehensive legal reforms. A bill proposed in December 2025 by the socialist MP Céline Thiébault-Martinez, with over 110 co-signers, aims to effectively combat all forms of sexual violence against women and children. The draft contains 79 articles and covers the fields of justice, police, health, and education to improve victim protection and strengthen prevention.

The public debate also includes discussions on the introduction of chemical castration for sex offenders. Supporters like Bruno Retailleau see this as a deterrent, while experts warn that such methods alone are hardly sufficient. Rather, offenders need comprehensive therapeutic care and long-term psychiatric treatment to prevent recidivism.

The anger over previous failures was evident on June 8, 2026, in numerous French cities, when thousands of people demonstrated under slogans like “Justice réveille-toi” (“Justice, wake up”) and “Plus jamais cela” (“Never again”). The Minister of Justice, Gérald Darmanin, was particularly criticized for the alleged failure to better prevent and effectively prosecute sexual abuse.

The debate about the Lyhanna affair continues. At its heart is the call for a significantly more effective protection system for women and children and an integrated approach that includes preventive measures, rapid responses, and comprehensive care for both victims and offenders. Only in this way can similar tragedies be avoided in the future.