Fighting violence against children in France

As the new school year begins, CAMELEON Association continues to strengthen its commitment to the prevention of sexual violence – online and offline – with children, parents, and professionals. 

Our approach has evolved with the launch of an updated educational program, tailored to different school levels and to the realities of children in vulnerable situations. This program promotes the development of children’s psychosocial skills, helps them understand the notion and importance of consent, raises awareness regarding online sexual violence, and encourages children to identify trusted adults around them. 

An aspect that has developed over the last few months is the introduction of sessions dedicated to educational staff. This session focuses on detecting warning signs of children victim of sexual violence and on how to receive and act upon the testimonies of children who open up about the violence that they are experiencing or have experienced in the past. These sessions help professionals better understand the mechanisms of violence, adopt a caring and protective posture, and actively contribute to safeguarding children. 

Our presence in the geographical region of Île-de-France continues to grow, with interventions in schools, social and medical institutions, and community organizations. We have expanded our efforts to reach children living with disabilities, in precarious conditions, or placed under child protection services. 

This prevention work is part of a broader movement to build a more just and equal society, where every child is recognized in their dignity and protected in their integrity. Aligned with national programs and public priorities on comprehensive sexuality education and the prevention of school-based harassment, these educational initiatives empower young people to become informed, critical, and empathetic—actively contributing to the reduction of sexual, gender-based, and online violence.

This back-to-school season is an opportunity to mobilize every adult as a key ally in protecting children.

Thanks to your continued support, we are able to keep moving forward—educating, raising awareness, and protecting. Together, we are making a difference.

Links:

• CAMELEON's website

In France, 3 children per class are or will be victims of incest. Others experience bullying, sexual violence, or are exposed from childhood to the dangers of the digital world: grooming, deepfakes, cyberbullying...

“It was a year and a halfago. A boy was sexually harassing me. I told him to stop, but he kept going. When I spoke up, he turned against me and came with a group to attack me, telling me that what I had told the principal was false.” – Teenage girl, 13, met during a school intervention.

Faced with this alarming reality, CAMELEON’s French Social Mission acts to protect the best interests of children and their right to protection.

Thanks to your support, between March and May 2025, we were able to conduct: 

• 26 prevention workshops in schools (primary schools and high schools), 

• 3 Parents’ Cafés, 

• 5 workshops to raise awareness on violence done to children in social and medical centers: a care home, a Youth Health Center and a Community Center. 

Our workshops in schools, based on a supportive and trusting environment,help students develop their psychosocial skills. During the workshops, topics such as children’s rights, consent, and how to protect oneself are covered. These sessions help children and teenagers identify trusted adults in their close environment and empower them to act and speak up if they experience violence.

Feedback from students highlighting the impact and importance of our work:

“I learned to become aware of so many things in my life. Every session was really interesting, and I appreciated being able to open up, especially during the last meeting.” - 5th grade student

“Thank you for giving me the space to speak up and to get out of my current situation.” - Child victim of abuse, 5th grade

“The workshops offered throughout the year were of excellent quality. All the students participated, and it really helped them to open up and share their experiences.” - 5th grade teacher

Our Parents’ Cafés provide a confidential and non-judgmental space for parents and professionals to discuss young people’s digital habits and recognize the risks of online violence (cyberbullying, exposure to pornography, manipulation, etc.). Parents are given practical tools, such as the cyber safety booklet and the 3018 helpline, and advice on how to restore dialogue and discuss the use of internet with their children.

In social and medical centers, our targeted workshops offer a safe and supportive space for teenagers aged 15 and up to discuss issues such as sexual and gender-based violence aswell as cyberviolence. Moreover, these sessions encourage open dialogue and help build trust among peers.

These initiatives make a real difference, but we need your ongoing support to sustain our efforts. Every donation helps us reach more children—raising awareness, preventing harm, and protecting those who need it most.