David G., a 36-year-old school aide in Paris, appeared in court on May 26, 2026. He is charged with sexually assaulting five preschool children aged 3 to 5 and sexually harassing two female colleagues between September 2024 and April 2025 [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]. The accused denies the charges but admitted to breaching conduct guidelines, such as allowing a child to sit on his lap [1, 2, 3, 4, 5].

David G. was suspended in April 2025 immediately after parents lodged complaints and the school principal alerted authorities [6, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5]. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in prison and a fine of 150,000 euros [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]. The court verdict is expected on July 7, 2026 [3, 5].

The trial is part of a wider scandal involving allegations of child abuse by school aides, known as animateurs or monitors, in Paris. Investigations are ongoing at nearly 100 preschools, primary schools, and daycare centers including 84 preschools, 20 primary schools, and 10 daycare centers [6, 7, 4, 5]. Paris police and prosecutors have confirmed more than 100 allegations of mistreatment, physical violence, sexual assault, and rape involving children as young as three, mostly during lunch, naps, or after-school activities [7, 4, 5].

Parents' groups and lawyers criticize failures in hiring and oversight that allowed abuse to continue. "It's a massive scandal," said Florian Lastelle, a lawyer representing families. "The state school system is a source of pride in this country, but unfortunately in France today it’s not possible to say that the public service guarantees children’s safety" [7]. Anne, a parent at the accused’s school, said, "We're hoping for a real conviction, a harsh one, because there are so few when it comes to sexual assaults on children" [1].

Paris Mayor Emmanuel Grégoire, who has publicly disclosed his own experience as a childhood sexual abuse survivor, has vowed zero tolerance. By early 2026, city authorities had suspended 78 school aides, 31 suspected of sexual abuse [4, 5]. Animateurs are generally low-paid and minimally trained, sometimes recruited without formal certification due to high demand [6, 7].

Barka Zerouali, spokesperson for the #MetooEcole collective, said, "This trial is not just about a man in the dock for 'extremely serious offences'. It raises a much bigger question: how many children spoke out before we really listened to them?" [3]. According to CIIVISE, an independent commission, some 160,000 children suffer sexual violence annually in France, with 80% of perpetrators family members [4, 5].

Trials related to other abuse cases involving Paris school assistants are ongoing, with some verdicts expected this summer 2026 [6, 1, 2, 3]. The David G. case remains a focal point as court proceedings continue toward the July 7 verdict [3, 5].