President Macron's Promise on World Women's Day Last March
French actresses and women's groups who participated in the MeToo movement urged the French government on the 14th (local time) to enact comprehensive sexual violence prevention legislation. Among those raising their voices were famous French actresses such as Isabelle Adjani, Juliette Binoche, and Judith Godr?che.
Yonhap News reported on a joint op-ed published by 147 of them in the French daily Le Monde. They lamented, "Over the past seven years, we have made MeToo revelations for ourselves and for all men, women, and children who cannot speak out, but who is truly listening to our voices?"
They continued, "Despite the courage of victims, cases where perpetrators go unpunished are increasing," and strongly criticized, "It is unacceptable that the non-prosecution rate for sexual violence complaints in 2022 reached as high as 94%." Anne-C?cile Mailfert, chairwoman of the Women's Foundation and a signatory of the op-ed, urged on a radio broadcast that "women who are victims of sexual violence must be properly considered throughout the investigation and trial process."
They pointed out, "The French government's plan to simply specify the concept of 'consent' in the criminal law's definition of rape cannot compensate for France's terrible backwardness in this area." This op-ed appears to be an effort to re-ignite public discussion on sexual violence in the film industry, coinciding with the opening of the 77th Cannes Film Festival.
French President Emmanuel Macron promised on March 8, International Women's Day, during a meeting with women's groups, to specify the concept of 'consent' in the criminal law's definition of rape. Women's groups argued that cases without clear consent from the parties involved should also be considered rape (non-consensual rape).
The signatories of the op-ed went further, demanding the enactment of a 'comprehensive sexual violence prevention law.' Through this law, they argue that the concepts of 'rape,' 'consent,' and 'incest' should be clearly defined, serial sexual offenders should be tried for all cases, and protection orders for sexual violence victims should be expanded. They also called for the establishment of specialized investigative units and free trauma treatment for victims.
"Dirty hands, put them on my 15-year-old chest"
At this year's Cannes Film Festival, the documentary 'Moi Aussi,' which deals with the MeToo movement in the French film industry, is scheduled to be released, drawing attention to the MeToo list revealed in this work. 'Moi Aussi' means 'Me Too' in French.
Judith Godr?che, the French actress who made this film, claimed that over 30 years ago, Jacques Doillon, a film director who was 43 at the time, insisted on filming sex scenes with her, who was 15 years old then, over forty-five takes, and "put those dirty hands on my 15-year-old chest."
She questioned, "Why must we accept that this art, which we love so much and that unites us, is being used as a means to cover up illegal trafficking of young women?" and said, "We can decide no longer to allow men accused of rape to dominate the film industry."
Godr?che is a veteran actress known for films such as 'The Man in the Iron Mask' (1998), in which she starred alongside Leonardo DiCaprio, and has appeared in over 30 works since then.
Meanwhile, there have also been ongoing allegations from women claiming to have been sexually harassed and assaulted by French national actor G?rard Depardieu.
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