Allegations of sexual assault at the prestigious Henri IV college in Bergerac have resurfaced, calling attention to what appears to be systematic failures and cover-ups by institutional figures, including French Prime Minister François Bayrou. These revelations follow years of silence surrounding the abuses committed by former mathematics teacher André Garric, against two minors whose trauma remains etched in the history of this educational institution.
The scandal gained traction when online media outlet Blast released exclusive footage on February 21, airing accusations of Bayrou ignoring administrative recommendations following the allegations of repeated sexual violence against students dating back to the early 1990s. The first reported incidents stem from 1992 when Garric was accused by the father of two children attending the college for committing sexual offenses against them.
Despite the serious nature of these claims, the initial response from the college administration was insufficient; the family reached out to school authorities hoping for action, only to face ridicule and indifference. The solution proposed internally was merely to transfer Garric, rather than take effective measures to protect the children.
Frédéric Vidal, one of the victims, described the immense pressure and stigma faced by his family, reflecting on society's attitude at the time. “Those who defend my aggressor are not sick.. They would like to see us leave town as if we were the culprits. But it’s not him who is the victim. It’s my sister, it’s me,” he expressed back in 1994.
Faced with the lack of appropriate responses, the father took the courageous step of filing formal charges against Garric, which, ironically, led to disciplinary actions against him within the educational system. Sure enough, Garric was convicted and sentenced initially to six years for contempt, with the ruling later increased to 12 years of imprisonment for sexual assault incidents acknowledged by higher courts.
Meanwhile, François Bayrou, who was then serving as the Minister of Education, was handed a report from the general inspectorate detailing the failures of the education system to address such abuses effectively. Despite its alarming contents, which indicated the educational hierarchy had prioritized protecting the institution’s image over the victims' well-being, the recommendations for reforms—including the drafting of a circular to improve protocols surrounding the handling of sexual abuse allegations—never materialized.
Quoting from the report, it highlighted how the initial disbelief from teachers and administrators perpetuated a culture of silence, effectively shielding the offenders more than the victims. Yet, blast reports suggest Bayrou’s resistance to acknowledgment and action stemmed from fear of tarnishing the reputation of the French education system, prompting him to reportedly respond, “I don’t see the point of dirtying the national education” when faced with the uncomfortable realities of sexual abuse allegations.
Allegations linking Bayrou to the systematic cover-up have reignited public scrutiny of the French government’s historical handling of such sensitive issues, particularly concerning minors. Many have drawn parallels between the Bergerac scandal and the recent revelations surrounding the Bétharram affair, where similar patterns of denial and negligence emerged.
The realization of the institutional complicity surrounding these cases poses serious questions about the mechanisms of accountability and the voices of survivors. The failures to prioritize the safety of students above institutional reputation clearly reveal deep-rooted problems within the educational system, as the Mexican proverb goes, “If you do not act to defend the children, you are complicit.”
These events stand as glaring reminders of how historical neglect leaves lasting scars not only on the immediate victims but also echoes throughout society. The call for justice and reform continues to resonate, demanding recognition of the need for systemic change, not merely at the institutional levels but throughout societal attitudes toward survivors of sexual abuse.