A school assistant goes on trial in Paris Tuesday, accused of sexually mistreating young children, the latest case in a year-long scandal shaking the French capital's school system.
Nearly 100 crèches, kindergartens, and junior schools are under investigation for inappropriate or aggressive behavior by non-teaching staff known as 'animateurs.' Trials in three other cases are scheduled for this summer.
One father described how his four-year-old daughter disclosed touching by an animateur named David, saying the child demonstrated the behavior by stroking her back in a bizarre way.
Elisabeth Guthmann of SOS-Périscolaire blames the low quality of animateurs, who are poorly paid and require only a basic certificate. She cited a case where four animateurs ran a fight club with children cheering.
New Paris Mayor Emmanuel Grégoire has pledged €20 million ($21.7 million) for training and monitoring, and will automatically suspend any animateur after a single complaint. Nearly 80 have been suspended since January.
The unionized assistants argue they are victims of generalized suspicion. Last week, they staged a strike demanding recognition and investment.
One assistant, Rémi, said: "Working with children today, at the drop of a hat you can be accused of absolutely anything."