While Emmanuel Macron said he wanted to “better support, better empower and sometimes better punish” the parents of children who are perpetrators of violence, the Keeper of the Seals offers them a reminder of the rules. Eric Dupond-Moretti announced on Wednesday July 5 during questions to the government in the Senate that he had “written a flyer” for “parents” to explain “in simple terms” to those who “have forgotten” what their obligations are.
This leaflet, consulted by Agence France-Presse, takes up three “responsibilities” of parents, which the minister had detailed in a circular sent Friday to the courts which called for a “firm response” against the authors – many of whom minors – urban violence following the death of young Nahel M.
He mentions the civil liability of parents – “when your child steals, damages or destroys something (…), it is you, parents, who will be condemned to pay the repairs”.
Also addressed is their criminal liability “in the event of a breach of parental obligations”, if for example “[they do not] intervene to [oppose] leaving the home which could be dangerous for the health or safety of [ their] child”, or if they do not ensure “compliance” with a ban on night outings ordered by the courts.
Distributed in police stations and courts
Finally, the flyer recalls that parents have the obligation to appear before the court for their child, otherwise they risk being brought by the police, or being fined.
It will be distributed in all jurisdictions to be given to parents whose children are brought to justice, as well as in police stations and gendarmeries, said the chancellery.
While the executive has insisted since Friday on the “responsibility of parents”, the idea of ??sanctioning their supposed laxity, defended by some of the political leaders, is denounced as “simplistic” by elected officials, magistrates and family associations. They argue that society is less and less at the side of families, due to the saturation of systems intended to help them, including social workers, judges for children and maternal and child protection.