Bétharram Abuse Scandal Prompts Sweeping Reforms in French Catholic Schools
Élisabeth Borne unveils measures to address systemic violence and ensure accountability in private institutions as over 180 complaints surface.
- The Bétharram case has been described by Élisabeth Borne as a 'MeToo moment' for schools, with testimonies of abuse liberating victims' voices.
- Since October 2023, over 180 complaints of physical violence, sexual assaults, and rapes have been filed against Notre-Dame de Bétharram, now renamed Beau Rameau.
- A collective of 2,000 former students has formed to share testimonies of abuse, highlighting systemic failures in private Catholic schools.
- Élisabeth Borne announced reforms including mandatory reporting of violence, the deployment of the 'Faits établissements' application, and anonymous student questionnaires.
- François Bayrou, accused of ignoring reports of violence during his tenure as Minister of Education, has avoided legal consequences due to insufficient evidence.