In France, the debate on the sexuality of people with disabilities revived

If the sexual companions are present in many countries including the Netherlands, Switzerland, Germany, they are officially prohibited in France (image of the photographer Hormoz). Anne Bernas / RFI

Text by: RFI Follow

As the National Conference on Disability approaches, Tuesday, February 11 in Paris, the government is reopening the debate on the sexuality of people with disabilities and the employment of sexual assistants. A new solicitation from the executive when an unfavorable opinion was issued in 2013.

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" It seems to me essential to reopen the reflection on the sexual assistance of the handicapped people ". The Secretary of State for Disability, Sophie Cluzel, puts the subject back on the table. In a letter sent to the National Ethics Committee on Saturday, the minister wants to put what she calls " the place of the intimate " at the heart of the rights of disabled people. " I am very much in favor of supporting the intimate, emotional and sexual lives of people with disabilities, " she writes .

A letter which comes while associations are pressuring the executive in recent days. Emmanuel Macron is to announce measures next Tuesday, at the National Conference for Disability. The associations say they are disappointed for the moment with the campaign promises of the president. They are now waiting for concrete measures.

Jean-Paul Garcia is the president of the Federation of Associations for Adults and Young Disabled ( APAJH ), for him disabled people find themselves today " forbidden to satisfy their desire ". However, he would like to remember that they have the same needs and the same desires as able-bodied people.

► Read also: Disability and sexuality, the taboo to break

Today, sexual assistance is still punishable by law, a profession which is seen as prostitution. Jean-Paul Garcia is therefore satisfied that the debate has been revived, but he remains cautious.

" Listen, I only believe what I see. The words, the words after it is necessary to act. That the question is asked in the terms in which it is asked is a good thing. Now it should not also serve to push the subject back to the Greek calendars ”.

The conclusions of the National Ethics Committee will not arrive for several months. In 2013, it issued an unfavorable opinion on the subject. The president of APAJH believes today that public opinion is better prepared to accept sexual assistance than seven years ago, the subject still remains taboo in France, according to him.

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