Feb 11 • 16:25 UTC 🇪🇸 Spain El Mundo

The thousand faces of the septuagenarian 'teacher' who abused 89 minors in 10 countries

A 79-year-old French man, posing as a teacher, has been accused of sexual abuse against 89 minors across several countries over six decades.

Jaques Leveugle, a 79-year-old French man, has been accused of sexually abusing 89 minors in various countries including France, Germany, and Nigeria. Despite posing as a 'teacher' throughout his deceptive career, he never held any formal qualifications or certifications as an educator. His roles varied from tutor, educator, to camp monitor, which allowed him to get close to children and exploit them over more than fifty years, raising significant concerns regarding the effectiveness of existing protections against such predatory behaviors.

The French police have initiated an unusual international request for witnesses and information regarding additional potential abuse cases linked to Leveugle, who was arrested in Grenoble while visiting family. Law enforcement is investigating incidents that spanned multiple decades and numerous locations, highlighting his ability to evade detection. The multitude of identities and aliases he adopted over the years has allowed him to perpetuate his crimes across borders, making the situation even more challenging for investigators as they seek to piece together his extensive history of abuse.

This alarming case has drawn attention to the urgent need for improved international cooperation in tracking and prosecuting sexual predators who operate across different jurisdictions. With ongoing investigations, there are concerns about the number of unreported cases and the effectiveness of child protection systems in schools and recreational environments. The revelation of Leveugle's extensive history of abuse raises critical questions about the systems in place for vetting individuals working with children and ensuring their safety throughout various educational settings, not only in France but globally.

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