“ Something's wrong. I'm too attached to this child." , says a young man on the phone. He has just dialed the number for the STOP service, dedicated to people who feel a sexual attraction to children.
The call reached the Ville-Évrard hospital in Neuilly-sur-Marne (Seine-Saint-Denis), where one of the lines of this national and free listening, guidance and prevention service (0 806 23 10 63) is managed for people sexually attracted to children, i.e., those with a pedophilic disorder.
“ The idea behind the STOP number is to intervene before the act is committed.“STOP is there to help,” explains Daniel Pinède, a psychiatrist in Ville-Évrard, to AFP. “We will direct callers to healthcare professionals who will assess the situation and offer treatment.”
Created in 2020, the system, present throughout France (with 35 branches), is managed by the Ministry of Solidarity and Health.
Dr. Pinède believes there is no seasonality to the calls, even though, according to him, " Their numbers have increased in recent weeks, undoubtedly linked to the Lyhanna case.", this 11-year-old schoolgirl who disappeared at the end of May before being found dead and raped on June 4 in Gers.
On the phone, the nurse, Géraldine Lenfant, continues her conversation with the young man who dialed the number.
"In distress"
His profile: around twenty years old, very isolated, living with his mother and who was still recently working in after-school care, before his contract was terminated due to his behavior.
He tells the nurse the " very close proximity "that he maintained with some primary school children, while denying having made any inappropriate gestures.
An appointment has been agreed upon as soon as possible. to talk with him, to assess the entire relational sphere including in the area of sexuality, and the possible consumption of child pornography videos" explains Géraldine Lenfant.
“ The people who call are suffering. It's extremely difficult for them to talk about it. Most feel ashamed, and if they call here, it's often because they haven't found any other place to express themselves. Sometimes, some are already receiving psychological support but don't dare broach the subject with their therapist." explains the nurse, whose job includes creating a climate of trust and welcoming speech without judgment.
In 2025, the system received more than 4,500 calls. Among those who contacted the platform, 90 % were men, with an average age of 37.
“Risk factor”
International studies cited by call centers show that between 4 and 13 percent of the population has a pedophilic disorder. Most of these people, however, are said to be " abstinent "and will never harm a minor. Because not all pedophiles are pedophiles," It is in fact a very small minority."Yes," adds Dr. Pinède.
However, he points out, " This remains a risk factor.", hence the importance of identifying these patients and offering them appropriate care.
“ The most stressful thing is being sure not to miss an emergency or a warning." confides Géraldine Lenfant.
Because while healthcare professionals are bound by professional secrecy, certain circumstances require them to break it. This is the case when there is an immediate danger, an imminent peril for a minor" explains Dr. Pinède.
“ If a man tells us he has an obsession with the nine-year-old neighbor he babysits every day after school, and that it's beyond his control, that he feels a strong urge to touch her that evening, there is imminent danger and the public prosecutor is notified." he continued.
In 2025, approximately 150 reports were sent to the justice system following calls to the hotline. Depending on the severity and urgency of the situation, the prosecutor can order police intervention or the opening of an investigation.
English 
French