Elisabeth Borne Calls for Improvements in Handling Sexual Violence

Paris – 10.06.2026: Elisabeth Borne, deputy of Écologie, Démocratie et Solidarité (EPR) in Calvados, spoke on the show “Tout est politique” on Franceinfo regarding the current discussion about the handling of sexual violence in France. She emphasized that there is no doubt that improvements are necessary in this area. At the same time, she appealed to the public to allow ongoing investigations time and wait for their results.

The discussion was triggered by the tragic case of Lyhanna, an 11-year-old student from Fleurance in southwestern France, whose body was found at the end of May. The main suspect, Jérôme Barella, aged 41, had previously been reported multiple times for sexual assaults on minors without corresponding investigations being initiated. This led to nationwide protests and demands for reforms in the justice system.

In response to the public outrage, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced several measures, including increasing penalties for serial rapists to life imprisonment and setting a maximum investigation period of three months in cases of child abuse. These steps aim to help restore public trust in the justice system and prevent future failures.

Additionally, a comprehensive legislative initiative to combat gender-based and sexual violence was launched. Over 110 deputies from various political camps have supported a related bill based on recommendations from numerous organizations and the Commission for Sexual Abuse of Children (Ciivise). The proposed measures aim to strengthen the protection of women and children from sexual violence and close existing gaps in the legal system.

President Emmanuel Macron described the incidents surrounding the Lyhanna case as an “unacceptable malfunction” of the justice system and stressed the necessity of comprehensive reforms. He announced that the responsible ministers, including Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin, would take responsibility for investigating the allegations and draw corresponding consequences.

Amid these developments, the President of the National Assembly, Yaël Braun-Pivet, defended the citizens’ right to demonstrate and emphasized the importance of dialogue between the population and institutions. She called to not fear the citizens’ voice and to take their concerns seriously.

The events around the Lyhanna case have sparked a broad societal debate about the handling of sexual violence and the efficiency of the justice system in France. It remains to be seen what concrete changes the announced measures will bring and whether they will meet the legitimate demands of the population.