Controversy Surrounds Ciivise as Resignation Sparks Governance Concerns
The independent Commission on incest and sexual violence against children (Ciivise) is embroiled in controversy following the resignation of Bruno Questel. Questel, a former deputy for Eure and a member of Ciivise's governing body, stepped down after defending a man convicted of incest. The situation has provoked strong reactions from victims' associations and further highlighted governance issues within Ciivise.
The case that led to the resignation involves a father who was sentenced to ten months in prison for sexually assaulting his minor daughter. Questel, who defended the man, justified his involvement by claiming uncertainty about the incident. 'I agreed to defend him because I don't know. What is certain is that he is bruised and in pain and that he is very unhappy not to see his children,' Questel stated. His remarks, made public during the trial, did not sit well with many, including victims' associations like Face à l'Inceste, which quickly distanced itself from his comments.
Governance Issues and Resignations Highlight Structural Problems
The controversy does not end with Questel's resignation. According to Simon Latournerie from Colossus with Feet of Clay, the commission has been underperforming for months, suffering from a lack of adequate budget and human resources. The budget has shrunk from over two million euros to just 190,000 euros, and staff numbers have similarly dwindled. These issues, combined with the recent controversy, have caused multiple associations to resign from the commission.
Criticism has also centered on Ciivise's response to the governance crisis. Arnaud Gallais, co-founder of the Mouv'Enfants association and a former member of the Commission, termed Ciivise's reaction as part of a 'culture of denial.' He argued that the commission's lack of decisive action and downplaying of the governance issues were detrimental to the mission of protecting children.
The Work Continues Amidst Turmoil
Despite the ongoing controversy, Ciivise continues its mission under a new leadership structure formed less than two months ago. The institution reiterated its commitment to defending victims and working towards child protection. Since its inception in March 2021, the commission has made significant strides, collecting nearly 30,000 testimonies and issuing 82 recommendations. However, the recent events have undoubtedly cast a shadow over its achievements, questioning its governance and ability to function effectively.
- Bruno Questel's involvement in the incest trial sparked outrage among many victim advocacy groups. The teenager at the center of the case reported the assault to her cousin two years after the incident. The father, who was intoxicated at the time, initially denied the charges before being found guilty and registered as a sex offender.
- Simon Latournerie attributes Ciivise's struggles to inadequate funding and severe staff shortages. Previously operating with a budget of over two million euros and around ten jobs, the commission now functions with only 190,000 euros and a maximum of four jobs.
- Ciivise was created in 2021 following the release of Camille Kouchner's book, 'La Familia grande,' which exposed incestuous abuse within her family. The commission has since worked to expose the destructive effects of incest, impacting both victims and society, and has earned praise for its efforts.
