Heavy controversy within Ciivise, the French commission for the fight against incest

While a new team takes the reins of the Independent Commission on Incest and Sexual Violence Against Children (Ciivise), following the ouster of the children's judge Édouard Durand who had headed it until then, a controversy erupts over the personality and practices of its vice-president. Caroline Rey-Salmon, pediatrician in the medical-judicial emergency room for minors at the Hôtel-Dieu in Paris, is the subject of a complaint for “sexual assault by a person abusing the authority conferred on them by their position”. The commission announced its withdrawal.

Caroline Rey-Salmon, forensic pediatrician, legal expert, new vice-president of Ciivise, alongside Sébastien Boueilh, president of Ciivise, February 5, 2024. AFP - EMMANUEL DUNAND

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It was the appointment of Caroline Rey-Salmon as vice-president of Ciivise that started it all. Louison L., a victim of incest as a child, has already had contact with the forensic doctor. Addressed to her on June 27, 2020 for a legal expertise by the Minors Protection Brigade, the 25-year-old young woman tells the franceinfo editorial team 

that 

her word is called into question: 

“After the examination, she told me that I was wrong, that I could not have suffered vaginal rape because my hymen was not torn"

, relates Louison L. Worse, the gynecological examination takes place in a shocking manner since the doctor reproduces the act suffered by mimicking the actions of the attacker, once again placing the complainant in a situation of aggression.

Following this examination, the shocked young woman did not file a complaint, fully mobilized in the battle she was waging to have the incest she denounced recognized. She also explains that she never received Caroline Rey-Salmon's expert report and is at a standstill in her legal proceedings.

A petition

has been launched to support Louison L.

Medical acts that discredit the Civil Society

Contacted by franceinfo, Caroline Rey-Salmon disputed “ 

the entirety of the accusations”

and did not wish to comment. However, in a legal review, the doctor returns to her practice of expertise with her words: “ 

It is the whole point of doing with the child on the examination table a sort of reconstruction of the actions of the aggressor and to gather his feelings in order to be as close as possible to the unfolding of the facts.”

In a press release, the Ciivise took note of the controversy and announced the withdrawal of its vice-president Caroline Rey-Salmon, citing a decision “

indispensable for the serenity of the work

” and for maintaining “

the confidence

” of the victims. .

The Independent Commission on Incest and Sexual Violence Against Children (Ciivise) was launched in March 2021, in the wake of the publication of Camille Kouchner's book,

La Familia Grande

, which denounced the incest committed on her brother by political scientist Olivier Duhamel. This body has made the protection of victims’ speech a priority.

In a column published on February 2 in the daily

Le Monde

, civil society actors, elected officials, personalities and associations, were concerned about the ouster of judge Edouard Durand, praising his work with victims, and expressing doubts about the new orientations of the commission. The signatories warned in particular of the questioning of the chosen motto

“I believe you, I protect you”

, in particular by Caroline Rey-Salmon. “Before

believing, we must analyze and study the child’s words

,” she defends.

The key role of the expert in incest situations

For Arnaud Gallais, ex-member of Ciivise, president of the BeBrave association, interviewed by AFP, it was “

essential 

” for the vice-president to “

step aside

”. “

Of course, there is the presumption of innocence, but there is a precautionary principle

.” “

We can’t say ‘I believe you, I protect you’ and then say ‘I believe you, but if it’s the vice-president, that doesn’t work’

. ”

For Laurent Boyet, president and founder of the association fighting against child abuse Les Papillons, interviewed by RFI, this controversy relaunches the question of communication and consent during medical examinations. Concerning the acts carried out by Caroline Rey-Salmon, he believes that it will be the job of justice to see whether the regulatory framework has been exceeded. “

I can understand the medical necessity of performing certain actions since there are many actions that can cause concern. But on the other hand, we must understand the patient's ability to understand this gesture and analyze it. And so I think that we must also introduce this notion of consent from the patient who must in an informed manner accept the medical practice that is going to be carried out. Or refuse it, and at that point, you have to be able to find alternatives

.” 

00:43

Laurent Boyet, president of the association fighting against child abuse Les Papillons

Thomas Papin

Read alsoIncest in France: Ciivise’s recommendations to protect children

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