L’Enfant Bleu’s Harrowing Campaign to End Child Abuse

The L’Enfant Bleu association has announced “Death Notice”,: a shock campaign that shatters silence by announcing the future deaths of abused children in the French press.

The L’Enfant Bleu association, Havas Play, and 366 are launching a donation campaign to raise awareness of the realities and impact of child abuse.

Every week in France, a child dies at the hands of their parents. This is not just a statistic, but a stark reality that demands our immediate attention. Behind each figure lies a life shattered. A life that could be saved with our collective action.

French Charity Takes Extreme Measure to Expose Child Abuse

For over 30 years, the association L’Enfant Bleu – Enfance Maltraitée has been fighting to protect abused children. But this vital mission depends on the public’s generosity, which is not just a contribution, but a lifeline, accounting for 80% of its resources.

To alert and mobilise the French, L’Enfant Bleu and Havas Play, with the support of 366, have taken a bold initiative: to announce the deaths of children who have not yet died in the obituaries of 47 regional daily press titles. Names, ages, places: Charlotte, 8, Paris. Lucas, 12, Fréjus. Leïla, 9, Woippy. These seemingly “uneventful” children could die tomorrow if no one does anything about it.

A Harrowing Campaign to Shatter the Silence

On December 11, 2024, the French discovered these chilling ads referencing fictitious deaths in 2029, 2030 or 2033. This striking campaign aims to spotlight the harsh realities and lasting impacts of child abuse.

The L’Enfant Bleu team said, “L’Enfant Bleu wishes to remind us of an essential truth: its action, thanks to donations and legacies, can transform the future of a child victim of abuse. This collaboration with regional press titles is fundamental to raising awareness in each territory and illustrates the proximity and impact we can have together. We thank our sponsor, Havas Play, for its creativity, the regional press for their commitment, and all those who make this mission possible through their generosity.”

L’Enfant Bleu’s Harrowing Campaign to End Child Abuse — Image source LEnfant Bleu AssociationHavas Play

A Future We Can Change: Join the Fight

Fabrice Plazolles, the Creative Director of Havas Play, mentioned, “At Havas Play, we are convinced that creation and media are intimately linked. This operation for L’Enfant Bleu is a perfect example. By placing our message in the obituary pages of all the regional daily papers, we’re speaking directly to a specific audience to evoke emotion and inspire support for the L’Enfant Bleu association.”

Marie Bailly, OPS and Brand Content Sales Director of 366 expressed, “Thanks to the regional press, a local medium by nature, L’Enfant Bleu touches the hearts of French people where they live. By integrating these hard-hitting messages into 47 regional titles, this campaign, piloted by 366, highlights the urgent need for awareness and action, emphasising that every community has a role to play in protecting children.”

With this decisive campaign, L’Enfant Bleu sends a clear message: tragedies can be prevented. A donation, a legacy, or an action today can change the destiny of these children and save them from a tragic end. Together, we have the power to act, and together, we can make a difference.