Véronique Béchu is a French representative in the international fight against the sexual exploitation of children. As a member of the Brigade des Mineurs, a unit dedicated to investigating crimes against minors, she has firsthand experience combating pedocriminality. Her work inspired the film “Polisse” (2011) directed by Maïwenn, which focused on the challenges faced by police officers in this field. Béchu shares her harrowing experiences in a book titled “Derrière l’écran. Combattre l’explosion de la pédocriminalité en ligne” (Stock, 300 pages, 20 euros).
Béchu’s journey into this line of work was unexpected, as she had initially planned to pursue a career in medicine. However, after a chance encounter with a law student, she became drawn to the field of criminology and criminal law. Her upbringing in a family that valued public service and the rule of law also played a role in shaping her career path. Béchu obtained a degree in criminal law and later went to the United States for further studies before returning to France to pursue a career in law enforcement.
As an aspiring magistrate and later as a police officer, Béchu dealt with numerous cases of violence against children including incest and sexual abuse. The prevalence of such cases in the justice system was overwhelming, with incidents of homicide providing a brief respite from the constant stream of child abuse cases. Despite facing setbacks in her pursuit of becoming a magistrate, Béchu successfully passed the exams to become a police officer, driven by a desire to be actively involved in investigations on the ground.
While opportunities in the field of police investigations relating to violence against children were limited when Béchu first entered the profession, the situation has changed over the years. Béchu was determined to work in cases involving violence against individuals, as she believed in making a difference and helping those in need. Her commitment to being at the forefront of addressing human suffering led her to prioritize roles that allowed her to directly assist victims, rather than being involved in cases of financial fraud or corruption.
Béchu highlights the urgent need to address the issue of child sexual exploitation online, expressing frustration over the lack of action from authorities and the alarming rise in these crimes. She advocates for greater awareness and resources to combat this growing problem, emphasizing the importance of collaboration between law enforcement, technology companies, and the public in identifying and prosecuting offenders. Through her work and advocacy, Béchu continues to be a dedicated advocate for children’s rights and a voice for those who are vulnerable to exploitation and abuse.
