# Paris mayor apologizes for school abuse scandal

> Paris leadership admits lack of transparency after multiple child assault cases by school staff emerged.
- Title: Paris mayor apologizes for school abuse scandal · Malay Mail
- Summary: Paris leadership admits lack of transparency after multiple child assault cases by school staff emerged. City officials failed to communicate openly with…
- Keywords: paris, emmanuel gregoire, child abuse, school monitors, sexual assault, transparency failure, anne hidalgo, senate inquiry, suspended staff, france, news, world
- Source: Malay Mail — https://malaymail.com/news/world/2026/09/16/paris-mayor-voices-deepest-regrets-amid-uproar-over-school-monitor-sexabuse-cases/235438
- Published: 2026-09-16T18:54:05+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: paris, emmanuel gregoire, child abuse, school monitors, sexual assault, transparency failure, anne hidalgo, senate inquiry, suspended staff, france, news, world
## Paris mayor expresses deepest regrets
Emmanuel Gregoire told a Senate inquiry that Paris lacked transparency in handling multiple cases of physical and sexual assault by school staff against children.

> I wish to express my deepest regrets. Personal regrets first, but also those of the city of Paris.
## Scandal unsettles Paris parents
Multiple allegations of sexual or physical violence emerged against school monitors who supervise children during lunch, after lessons, and in holiday camps.
## Gregoire succeeds Hidalgo as mayor
Gregoire was elected mayor earlier this year to replace Anne Hidalgo, a Socialist who held the post for 12 years. Both appeared before the Senate inquiry.
## City claims it met legal obligations
Gregoire said Paris never failed to meet legal recruitment requirements, though he acknowledged the city lacked transparency because public meetings with parents were not held systematically.
## Man sentenced for assaulting nine children
Michael M., 38, admitted to sexually assaulting nine children aged five to ten between September 2022 and January 2024. He received a five-year sentence with four years suspended and one year under house arrest with an ankle tag.
## Paris suspends 132 school aides
Since the start of the year, Paris has suspended 132 aides, including 52 suspected of sexual abuse. Prosecutors are investigating whether Gregoire and Hidalgo should be held responsible.
## Parents file complaints against officials
Parents have filed complaints alleging mismanagement by city officials, leading prosecutors to investigate whether Gregoire and Hidalgo bear responsibility for the crisis.
## Key takeaway

City officials failed to communicate openly with parents about abuse allegations, prompting investigations into their responsibility.