Episode Summary

In this powerful continuation of The Cost of Silence, we dive deeper into the horrifying case of Joël Le Scouarnec, one of France’s most prolific child sex abusers. Joining us is Mié Kohiyama, a French journalist, survivor, and leading activist in the fight against child sexual violence.

Mié shares her groundbreaking legal battle that challenged France’s statute of limitations laws, revealing how institutional silence allows abuse to persist for decades. We also explore the shocking judicial failures that enabled Le Scouarnec’s crimes, the devastating impact of repressed memory on survivors, and the urgent need for systemic change.

This episode is a call to action—for justice, reform, and survivor advocacy.

Trigger Warning: This discussion contains references to child sexual abuse, repressed memory, and institutional failures. Please prioritize your well-being and use the provided resources if needed.

Key Takeaways with Timestamps

[00:00] Introduction

Recap of Part 1 and why this case matters
Introducing guest Mié Kohiyama

[03:15] Mié Kohiyama’s Story

Her personal experience with abuse and repressed memory
Legal battle against France’s statute of limitations

[08:42] Statute of Limitations & Justice Delayed

Why survivors struggle to seek justice
The need for legal reform in cases of child sexual abuse

[15:30] Judicial & Institutional Failures

How France’s legal system failed to protect victims
The role of hospitals, law enforcement, and courts in enabling abuse

[21:10] CSAM & Digital Exploitation

Why child sexual abuse material (CSAM) isn’t taken seriously enough
How law enforcement overlooked Le Scouarnec’s early offenses

[27:45] The Trauma of Discovery

The impact of repressed memories on survivors
How victims were retraumatized by law enforcement’s handling of the case

[33:20] Family & Institutional Silence

Why families protect perpetrators over victims
The role of cultural attitudes and systemic cover-ups

[40:00] The Urgent Need for Reform

Abolishing statutes of limitations for child sex crimes
Educating institutions on trauma-informed approaches

[46:55] Call to Action

How listeners can support survivors and advocate for change
Resources for survivors and allies

About Mié Kohiyama:

Mié Kohiyama is a French-trained journalist and a dedicated child rights activist with over a decade of advocacy experience. As a survivor of child sexual violence (CSV), she made history as the first survivor in France to appeal to the Supreme Court on the issue of the statute of limitations and repressed memory.

Since then, she has been a key figure in the collective movement to end CSV in France. Her activism contributed to major legal victories, including the establishment of a legal age of consent in France and the extension of the statute of limitations for sexual crimes against minors to 48 years. However, the fight to abolish these limitations entirely is still ongoing.

Mié is also the author of Le Petit Vélo Blanc, written under the pseudonym Cécile B, in which she shares her journey as a survivor and activist. In 2022, she joined the Brave Movement and now serves as an executive member.

Instagram: www.instagram.com/miekohiyama
X: x.com/MiKohiyama
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/mie-kohiyama

Survivor Resources:

Global Help Lines:

https://www.bravemovement.org/get-help

U.S. Healing Resources + Survivor Support:

U.S. Victims Advocacy

https://trynova.org/

About Child Trauma

https://www.nctsn.org/what-is-child-trauma/about-child-trauma