The French government has announced the creation of budget funds intended to counteract sexist and sexual violence. This is the first similar step taken by the government.
If this proposal is approved by parliament, the allocated funds will allow for the hiring of 300 judges, 700 investigators, and another 300 specialists, including nurses. Furthermore, the money will be directed towards increasing funding for associations that support victims, as well as creating a system to identify and assess grants allocated to fight these forms of violence.
The announcement was made following the death of Lianna, an 11-year-old girl whose body was found in June in the Gers department. This case caused widespread resonance and criticism regarding the institutions' response to reports of sexual violence against minors, as the suspect in her death received complaints but was never detained or questioned.
Le Cornu stated that the government will stimulate the response to such forms of violence, which must cover prevention, police, the judicial system, education, healthcare, and social services. Plans also include decrees scheduled for October aimed at strengthening women's shelters and medical facilities, creating a national coordination platform for violence in healthcare, and including a questionnaire on sexual violence in the school curriculum to facilitate dialogue with children on these topics.
Le Cornu also insists on ensuring continuous and long-term funding for victim support associations, emphasizing the need for prevention through the development of affective, relational, and sexual education.