ON
← Back to feed
FranceEconomy2 days ago

The Lyhanna case: prosecutors by population, budget, timeframe... Is the French judiciary lagging behind its European neighbours?

The article discusses the French justice system's performance compared to other European countries, citing data from the European Commission's 2024 report based on 2022 figures. It highlights that French prosecutors handle significantly more cases per year than the European average, with nearly 2030 cases per prosecutor annually. The article references criticism from Euro-MP François-Xavier Bellamy regarding the chaotic handling of the case involving the disappearance and death of 11-year-old Lyhanna, and mentions comments from Minister of Justice Gérald Darmanin about the underfunding of the 

"J'avais 9 ans. Je me suis fait violer dans un garage par mon voisin." "Violée par mon beau-père plusieurs fois, ma mère ne m'a pas cru." "Depuis quelques jours, des milliers de récits semblables affluent sur la plateforme Classés-sans-suite.com . Dès la page d'accueil, deux chiffres frappent : plus de 6 000 témoignages déposés et 2 500 "plaintes ignorées". Des compteurs qui continuent d'augmenter jour après jour.

La plateforme a été lancée le 9 juin, quelques jours après la découverte du corps de Lyhanna , une collégienne de 11 ans retrouvée morte dans le Gers, et la mise en examen pour enlèvement et séquestration du principal suspect, Jérôme Barella, déjà visé par le passé par plusieurs signalements et plaintes pour agressions sexuelles et viols. Chaque lundi, dans plusieurs villes de France , des manifestantes réclament désormais l' adoption d'une "loi intégrale" contre les violences sexistes et sexuelles faites aux femmes et aux enfants. Parmi elles, nombreuses sont celles qui brandissent des pancartes sur lesquelles on peut lire un même mot : "Classée sans suite".

Le site se présente comme une "archive citoyenne indépendante" permettant aux victimes de violences sexuelles ou à leurs proches de raconter leur histoire et, le cas échéant, leur expérience avec la justice. Les témoignages couvrent plusieurs décennies et proviennent de presque toute la France. Une carte interactive du pays, recouverte de points rouges dans 99 départements sur 101, donne à voir l'ampleur du phénomène. Derrière chaque point se cache une histoire : agressions sexuelles, viols, incestes, violences conjugales ou violences commises dans un cadre scolaire, sportif ou familial.

Sur le site "Classés sans suite", les témoignages peuvent être consultés en fonction de leur localisation en France métropolitaine. © Capture d'écran du site réalisée le 18 juin 2026

"Montrer la réalité des violences"

Les récits désignent des auteurs présumés issus de l'entourage familial, amical ou professionnel des victimes, mais aussi parfois des inconnus. Une constante revient dans la majorité des témoignages : le sentiment de ne pas avoir été entendu. Certaines victimes racontent avoir renoncé à porter plainte par peur, par honte ou faute de confiance dans les institutions. D'autres décrivent des procédures engagées mais finalement abandonnées, des affaires prescrites ou des enquêtes closes sans poursuites.

Pour les membres du collectif à l'origine du projet, l'objectif est précisément de rendre visibles ces expériences souvent dispersées et invisibilisées. "Nous voulons montrer la réalité des violences sexistes, sexuelles, et aussi intrafamiliales en France", explique à l'AFP Clémence Andrieux, membre du collectif. La plateforme entend aussi documenter ce que ses créatrices considèrent comme les "défaillances de la justice, de l'État et de la société" face à ces violences.

Si la plateforme rencontre un tel écho, c'est parce qu'elle met des chiffres sur un sentiment largement partagé par les victimes : celui de se heurter à une justice incapable d'apporter une réponse à la hauteur des violences dénoncées. Selon une étude publiée en 2024 par l'Institut des politiques publiques à partir de données du ministère de la Justice, 86 % des procédures pour violences sexuelles font l'objet d'un classement sans suite.

À lire aussi Affaire Lyhanna : "dysfonctionnements" ou manque de moyens de la justice en France ?

Concernant les plaintes pour viol, le ministère de la Justice indique au Parisien que près de sept dossiers sur dix examinés par les parquets en 2025 avaient été classés sans suite, car considérés "non poursuivables" – autrement dit, dépourvus d'éléments de preuves suffisants à caractériser l'infraction.

Les spécialistes insistent toutefois sur un point : ces classements ne signifient pas que les victimes ont menti. Selon les données du ministère de la Justice relayées par Le Parisien, moins de 1,5 % des plaintes pour viol transmises aux parquets en 2025 ont été associées à des "suspicions de mensonges, d'exagérations, ou du comportement de la victime".

"Ces victimes méritent qu'on leur dise qu'on les croit et qu'on les considère, même s'il n'existe pas d'éléments pour rentrer dans la case et répondre aux standards pénaux", estime Floriane Volt, directrice des affaires publiques et juridiques de la Fondation des femmes, auprès de Franceinfo .

À voir aussi Lutte contre les violences sexuelles : comment protéger les enfants en France ?

Une initiative rattrapée par les questions juridiques

Mais le succès de la plateforme a rapidement rencontré un écueil . Dans sa version initiale, le site permettait aux victimes de mentionner le nom de leur agresseur présumé dans leur témoignage. Un choix qui a immédiatement suscité des critiques de juristes et d'avocats. En droit français, attribuer publiquement à une personne des faits portant atteinte à son honneur ou à sa réputation peut constituer une diffamation, y compris lorsque cette personne n'est pas expliciteme…

Read the full article at France 24 (Français)
Source document: Classés sans suite

14 reports

France 24 (Français)State / PublicCenter2 days ago
In the wake of the Lyhanna case, the "Unfollowed" website crystallizes the anger of VSS victims.

Following the case of Lyhanna, a 11-year-old girl found dead in the Gers department, the website 'Classés sans suite' has become a platform where victims of sexual violence share their stories. The site was launched shortly after Lyhanna's death and highlights the issue of ignored complaints against individuals like Jérôme Barella, who is under investigation for abduction and detention. The platform aims to serve as an independent archive where victims and their families can recount their experiences with the justice system.

Bias read (Center): The article presents information about a social movement and a platform created by victims of sexual violence without overtly favoring any political stance. It reports on events and quotes from users of the platform but does not exhibit clear ideological bias in its language or framing.

Official sources cited

L'ExpressIndependent🔒Right5 days ago
The Lyhanna case: the trap of emotionally dictated justice, by Jean-François Copé

The article discusses the Lyhanna case, focusing on concerns about a justice system influenced by emotion rather than rational judgment. It is authored by Jean-François Copé.

Bias read (Right): The framing suggests skepticism toward emotional influence in legal proceedings, which aligns with conservative critiques of judicial overreach or sentimentality in law. The author, Jean-François Copé, is a known right-leaning politician, which adds context to the potential ideological framing ofthe

20 MinutesIndependentCenter6 days ago
The Ciivise evaluates the State on the fight against sexual violence against minors

The article discusses an evaluation by La Ciivise regarding the state's efforts to combat sexual violence against minors.

Bias read (Center): The article presents a general overview of an evaluation without explicit ideological framing, word-choice, or emphasis that would indicate a clear leaning toward either side. It does not include overtly biased language or one-sided sourcing.

France 24 (Français)State / PublicCenter8 days ago
Sexual violence against minors: Civiise evaluates government action

In France, an child is a victim of violence every three minutes. Amidst ongoing debate over measures taken against sexual violence against minors, following the death of Lyhanna, Ciivise is set to release an anticipated evaluation of how the government has implemented its dozens of recommendations over the past two years.

Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information without overtly favoring any political side. It mentions the Ciivise evaluation and the context surrounding it but does not include biased language, one-sided sourcing, or editorializing that would indicate a clear ideological lean.

L'ExpressIndependent🔒Center8 days ago
The legal means behind the Lyhanna case: lessons from Europe

The article discusses the Lyhanna case and raises questions about the resources available to the judiciary, drawing lessons from European experiences.

Bias read (Center): The article appears to present an analytical discussion without overtly favoring one side. It focuses on questioning judicial resources and referencing European lessons, which suggests a balanced approach rather than a clear ideological slant.

Le MondeIndependent🔒Center9 days ago
Lyhanna's death: what is known about Jérôme Barella's pedophile tracks

Le Monde provides an update on the consolidated information and unresolved questions regarding Jérôme Barella, the suspect in the murder of Lyhanna, while awaiting reports from the national gendarmerie inspection and judicial inspections.

Bias read (Center): The article does not present any overtly biased language, framing, or sourcing. It focuses on providing an overview of available information and pending investigations without taking a stance or emphasizing particular perspectives.

Official sources cited

  • government Inspection générale de la gendarmerie nationale
  • government Inspection de la justice
MarianneIndependentLeft10 days ago
Sexual violence against minors: the way to justice to force Sébastien Lecornu to act ?

The article discusses the possibility of using legal action to compel Sébastien Lecornu, a French minister, to take measures against sexual violence against minors.

Bias read (Left): The framing suggests a critical stance toward the current handling of the issue by authorities, implying that stronger action is needed, which aligns with left-leaning priorities on social issues.

20 MinutesIndependentCenter12 days ago
Are the judiciary and the magistrates a scapegoat in the Lyhanna case?

The article poses the question of whether the judiciary and judges are being scapegoated in the Lyhanna case.

Bias read (Center): The article does not provide any specific information or analysis regarding the Lyhanna case, nor does it present any particular stance or framing. It simply raises a question without offering context or commentary.

Le FigaroIndependent🔒Center13 days ago
Lyhanna case: Gerald Darmanin caught between public opinion and judges

The article discusses French Minister of Justice Gerald Darmanin's efforts to regain control over his department following a major crisis involving the disappearance and death of an 11-year-old girl named Lyhanna. Darmanin has instructed prosecutors general to review 70,000 ongoing cases of sexual assault and rape allegations against minors by July 14. He aims to address these cases urgently to prevent another scandal like the Lyhanna case.

Bias read (Center): The article presents facts about the minister's actions without overtly favoring any political side. It describes the situation objectively, focusing on the procedural steps being taken rather than taking a stance on the underlying issues or political implications.

Official sources cited

  • government Minister Gerald Darmanin's statement
La CroixIndependentCenter13 days ago
An officer told me to remove my clothes : in Tunisia, migrants are victims of sexual violence

The article reports on incidents where female migrants in Tunisia have been subjected to sexual violence by officials, including being ordered to remove their clothing.

Bias read (Center): The article presents a report on sexual violence against female migrants without overtly favoring any political perspective. It focuses on the experiences of victims and does not include explicit commentary or framing that would indicate a clear ideological slant.

Official sources cited

  • organisation Un officier m’a indiqué de retirer mes vêtements
Le FigaroIndependent🔒Center13 days ago
The Lyhanna case: prosecutors by population, budget, timeframe... Is the French judiciary lagging behind its European neighbours?

The article discusses the French justice system's performance compared to other European countries, citing data from the European Commission's 2024 report based on 2022 figures. It highlights that French prosecutors handle significantly more cases per year than the European average, with nearly 2030 cases per prosecutor annually. The article references criticism from Euro-MP François-Xavier Bellamy regarding the chaotic handling of the case involving the disappearance and death of 11-year-old Lyhanna, and mentions comments from Minister of Justice Gérald Darmanin about the underfunding of the 

Bias read (Center): The article presents statistical comparisons and quotes officials without overtly favoring any political side. It focuses on systemic issues within the French justice system rather than taking a clear ideological stance.

Official sources cited

  • government Commission européenne pour l'efficacité de la justice
  • government François-Xavier Bellamy
  • government Gérald Darmanin
Le FigaroIndependent🔒Center13 days ago
Lyhanna case: what are the 70,000 complaints involving minors that the magistrates must review by July 14 ?

The death of 11-year-old Lyhanna has sparked widespread concern in France, leading Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin to call for an audit of all 70,000 complaints involving minors that judges must review by July 14. The main suspect, Jerome B., had been under investigation for multiple sexual assaults on minors since 2024 but was never questioned despite a complaint filed nine months ago. Some judges have criticized this initiative as a publicity stunt and highlighted ongoing resource shortages.

Bias read (Center): The article presents facts without overtly favoring any side. It includes details from both the minister's actions and judicial concerns, providing a balanced view of the situation without using biased language or selective sourcing.

Official sources cited

  • government Minister of Justice Gerald Darmanin's conference with prosecutors
  • court Complaint filed by mother of minor against Jerome B.
LibérationIndependentLeft13 days ago
Lyhanna case: It is the current state of justice that made this murder possible

The article discusses the Lyhanna case, with a quote suggesting that the current state of the justice system made the murder possible.

Bias read (Left): The framing implies criticism of the justice system, which aligns with left-leaning perspectives that often emphasize systemic issues and reform.

La CroixIndependentCenter13 days ago
Lyhanna case: what is the usual course of a complaint for child abuse ?

The article discusses the typical process for filing a complaint regarding violence against minors, using the Lyhanna case as a reference point.

Bias read (Center): The article provides an explanation of legal procedures without taking a stance or showing bias toward any particular side. It focuses on informing the reader about standard processes rather than presenting a politically charged narrative.

Go to the primary sources (11)

The official sources this coverage is built on. Read them directly to bypass framing.

  • organisationClassés sans suite
  • courtLyhanna's case
  • governmentInspection générale de la gendarmerie nationale
  • governmentInspection de la justice
  • governmentMinister Gerald Darmanin's statement
  • organisationUn officier m’a indiqué de retirer mes vêtements
  • governmentCommission européenne pour l'efficacité de la justice
  • governmentFrançois-Xavier Bellamy
  • governmentGérald Darmanin
  • governmentMinister of Justice Gerald Darmanin's conference with prosecutors
  • courtComplaint filed by mother of minor against Jerome B.