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A video of a boy being shown his head shaved by staff at a French children’s home has been leaked online, sparking outrage.
The video, filmed in February at the Jenner Educational Home in central Paris, shows a topless eight-year-old boy having his hair shaved, with one of the educators present suggesting it was a “punishment”.
According to public broadcaster France Info, neither the mother nor the facility director allowed the child, who was only named Elliott to protect his identity, to get a haircut.
Television station France 3 Paris-Île-de-France said it had spoken to the boy’s mother’s lawyer and discovered that the boy’s head had been shaved during a visit to her home.
When she asked for an explanation at her home, she claimed that it was her hairdresser’s mistake.
In the months that followed, Elliott was allowed to wear a hat in class, but was reportedly teased by his classmates.
But in September, her mother discovered the video, which was initially shared only in a WhatsApp group for educators.
The family then told Elliott’s mother that she had to cut her hair because she had lice, and urged her to refer the matter to the family’s attorney.
City of Paris refers case to court
The city of Paris, which is ultimately responsible for the home run by the Jean Cochet Society, announced on Tuesday that it would take the case to court.
“No justification offered, be it the child’s alleged consent, the possibility of the mother’s permission, or an attempt to get rid of the lice (in any case untested), can justify the violence inflicted on the child. In view of these unacceptable failures, the City of Paris has decided to immediately refer this matter to the judicial authorities and, if necessary, will also file a civil lawsuit,” the press release reads.
Stephanie List, Minister of Health, Families, Home Affairs and Disability, also said in a post on X that she would refer the matter to the public prosecutor.
She condemned the “unacceptable behavior” which “seriously undermines the dignity” of children.
The Paris public prosecutor’s office has opened an investigation into “deliberate violence,” and human rights ombudsman Claire Eddon said she was handling the case.
Accused educator suspended
The Paris City Council said that “special attention is being paid to the young victims” and the victims reportedly wanted to remain at the Jenner Education Home because they felt comfortable there.
The employee involved in the hair-shaving incident was suspended by the association that runs the home, saying the education team had undergone “significant reforms.”
France Info also reported that an administrative inspection requested by the city of Paris will be carried out at his home on Wednesday.
