
The episode discusses the failures of France's justice system regarding child violence, the historical significance of Charles de Gaulle, and the ongoing issues in animal welfare.
The murder of a young girl has sparked a reckoning with France's failures to investigate and prosecute violence against children. A historian's take on bringing Charles de Gaulle to the big screen. And how France's legal recognition of animal sentience has yet to guarantee the welfare of farm animals. The murder of a child in south-west France has caused outcry after it emerged that the chief suspect was previously accused of raping and sexual assaulting other children – but had never been charged, or even interviewed by police. Child welfare advocates and feminist groups have started weekly demonstrations outside the Justice Ministry, demanding stronger action against systemic failures to investigate, prosecute and convict child abusers. Steffy Alexandrian and Arnaud Gallais , who both founded child protection groups after being sexually abused, describe their experiences with the justice system and why an overhaul is long overdue. (Listen @3') On 18 June 1940, a then little-known general made a radio broadcast from London to German-occupied France to rally the French resistance. Few heard his call, but the speech would launch Charles de Gaulle on the path to becoming one of the…
Host: RFI English
Guests: Steffy Alexandrian, Arnaud Gallais
Organizations: Justice Ministry
Books & works: La Bataille de Gaulle
Places: France, south-west France
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Spotlight on France podcast page.