Béziers – 11.06.2026: The mother of Prescyllia, an 11-year-old student from Gers, has strongly criticized the recent decision by the Béziers public prosecutor’s office not to reopen investigations against her step-grandfather Joël Barella. The allegation of sexual harassment against Barella, made in 2013, had already led to investigations, which were closed in 2021 without charges being filed.
In an interview with France 3 Occitanie, the mother expressed her disappointment that the justice system fails to do justice to her child as a victim. She fears that Prescyllia will never be officially recognized as a victim. Additionally, she leveled accusations against the authorities, whom she believes showed insufficient commitment to thoroughly investigate the case and hold the perpetrators accountable.
The public prosecutor’s office justified the refusal to reopen the case by citing the absence of new incriminating evidence. This decision has once again sparked heated discussions and reignited the debate about how the French judiciary handles cases of sexual abuse.
Prescyllia’s mother is now calling for an independent investigation and demands a reassessment of the case to ensure that victims’ rights are better protected. She points out that protecting children and the consistent prosecution of abuse cases are of central importance, especially given the difficult processes victims often endure.
The prosecutor’s decision comes in the context of other cases from the region where similar allegations have been made against family members. In the same environment, the judiciary has repeatedly been criticized for its handling of such cases, as many victims feel insufficiently heard or supported. Prescyllia’s case once again highlights the challenges faced by victims of sexual violence and their families in the public eye.
The mother is determined to raise public awareness of the issue and to put pressure on the authorities. She advocates for strengthening the rights of children in abuse cases and making procedures more transparent and sensitive. The case raises fundamental questions about how accusations against family members should be handled in France without further burdening the victims.
This situation underscores the ongoing problem in dealing with abuse cases, which must be taken seriously not only in Béziers but nationwide. Experts call for more resources and specialized structures to help victims as effectively as possible and to prosecute perpetrators effectively. The public now expects the state to better fulfill its duty of protection towards vulnerable children.
Sources
- France 3 Occitanie