Sciences Po Paris: a provisional administrator appointed in place of Frédéric Mion

The director of initial training at Sciences Po Paris, Bénédicte Durand, was appointed provisional administrator of the school after the resignation on Tuesday of its director Frédéric Mion, following the Duhamel affair, the Ministry of Higher Education announced on Wednesday .

This appointment was decided by Minister Frédérique Vidal after "an exchange with the interim president of the National Foundation for Political Science (FNSP) Louis Schweitzer", himself recently appointed to replace Olivier Duhamel.

Appointed until a new director is appointed

Bénédicte Durand Durand was appointed "until the appointment of a new director," said the press release, without specifying a timetable.

Tuesday evening, Frédéric Mion, presented his resignation after a series of revelations which increased mistrust against him within the prestigious institution.

He had in particular denied being aware of the actions of Olivier Duhamel, resigned president of the FNSP which heads Sciences Po before modifying his statements.

The political scientist is accused by his stepdaughter Camille Kouchner of having raped his twin brother when he was a teenager.

Testimonies of gender-based and sexual violence in IEPs 

In addition, Frédérique Vidal and Elisabeth Moreno, Minister Delegate in charge of Equality between Women and Men, discussed Tuesday evening with the directors of the Institutes of Political Studies following recent testimonies of gender-based and sexual violence by students and women. students.

In recent days, messages from students claiming to be victims or witnesses of gender-based behavior and violence, including rape, in several IEPs in France have multiplied under the hashtag #sciencesporcs. 

A preliminary investigation was opened for rape in Toulouse, two for sexual assault in Grenoble and a report to justice was made in Strasbourg.

"I will ask the General Inspectorate to visit the various IEPs to see what are the existing devices" to fight against the phenomenon and see "how we can improve them concretely", Ms. Vidal told the press at the resulting from this exchange.

"It is essential that the word is freed but also that justice is done", she added.

"It is time for the omerta to be lifted, it is important to tell these young people that they are not alone", also declared Elisabeth Moreno.