A parliamentary investigation in France has intensified scrutiny over state oversight and violence prevention in schools, particularly in Catholic institutions.

On April 2, Philippe Delorme, Secretary General of Catholic Education, testified before the commission, marking a significant step in addressing concerns about transparency and accountability.

This follows a 2024 report by MP Paul Vannier, which criticized insufficient state controls and alleged opacity in Catholic schools.

Meanwhile, the Bétharram scandal has brought to light decades of abuse in a private Catholic school in southern France.

A collective of former students filed 48 new complaints, adding to over 200 allegations of sexual and physical violence spanning from 1970 to 1998. The testimonies reveal harrowing accounts of abuse, including severe physical punishments and sexual assaults by clergy.

The revelations have sparked calls for stronger protections and oversight in educational institutions.