Violence and sexual abuse at French Catholic school: Bétharram victims speak out
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This week, France in Focus explores the "Bétharram scandal", named after the Catholic school in southwestern France where hundreds of pupils were subjected to physical, psychological and sexual abuse for decades. The perpetrators of these crimes were never brought to justice, despite complaints lodged as early as the 1990s. Our colleagues at franceinfo investigate. Warning: Viewers may find this report disturbing.
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Today, the vast majority of the cases are ineligible for prosecution due to the statute of limitations. But victims are still demanding accountability, notably from current Prime Minister François Bayrou, who was education minister at the time and a high-ranking local figure.
A French parliamentary commission was appointed in March and the findings of its inquiry will be published shortly.
Our colleagues at franceinfo have been looking into the case and hearing from the victims first-hand.