title: [Intervention of the police in France, in the family setting, in cases of child abuse].
abstract: Intervention of Police Forces in France in the Family Setting When Child Abuse and Neglect are Noticed. French police forces, in charge of safety of persons and effects, are accustomed to intervening in family circles when child abuse occurs, and, also, each time a child's security and health are seriously threatened. They can intervene on their own, or respond to orders from an attorney or judge for children (Procureur de la République, Juge d'Instruction, Juge des Enfants). Their investigation is more easily accomplished when child abuse and neglect have just been discovered and traces of violence are still noticeable (Flagrant délit). They establish judicial procedures concerning offences committed against children, especially child abuse and neglect. But they also conduct inquiries of a social nature in order to inform a magistrate of a dangerous situation or behavior of young people under 18. This enables the judge for children to prescribe educative assistance measures. Doctors and social workers are still reluctant to notify policemen and judges, although they do not have to respect professional secrecy in any cases of injuries against children. In order to improve prevention and protection of victims of child abuse and neglect, it is truly necessary to coordinate activities of all those who intervene in pathologic family behavior: doctors, social workers, judges and policemen.
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D005602:France; D006801:Humans
vernacular_title: Intervention de la police en France, dans le milieu familial, en cas de mauvais traitements à enfants.