French Women's Rights Group Exposes Shocking Treatment of Sexual Abuse Victims by Police

Strategic Insights -

French women's rights group NousToutes has exposed a widespread issue of police officers treating sexual abuse victims with disrespect, victim-blaming, and mishandling their complaints. The hashtag #DoublePeine launched by Anna Toumazoff, counted at least 30,000 accounts of mistreatment in tweets and other messages sent on social media and a specific website. Despite recent training programs for French police, activists say authorities must do more to face up to the gravity of sex crimes and eradicate discrimination against victims.

Key Takeaways:

  • At least 30,000 women have shared their experiences of being mistreated by police officers when reporting sexual abuse, with many describing graphic and humiliating questioning.
  • Police officers were reported to have asked victims about their clothing, why they didn't struggle more, and whether they experienced pleasure during the assault.
  • Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin acknowledged that questions cannot be asked to women when they file a complaint, and an internal investigation will be conducted at the Montpellier police station.
  • Women's rights group NousToutes launched the #DoublePeine campaign to urge the government to take action, denouncing announcements by politicians not followed by action.
  • Only 10% of victims in domestic violence and sexual abuse cases file a formal complaint, according to an annual survey by national statistics institute INSEE.
  • The French government has set a goal to have at least one specially trained officer in each police station for dealing with domestic violence and sexual abuse.
  • A 37-year-old Parisian woman described being asked to mime a gesture to demonstrate the assault, while a 25-year-old woman reported being told she was "stupid" and "a liar" by police officers.
  • The #DoublePeine movement comes after the shocking killing earlier this year of a woman who was shot and set on fire in the street by her estranged husband, whose complaint had been mishandled by a police officer convicted of domestic violence.

Statistics:

  • 30,000: The number of accounts of mistreatment shared by women on social media and a specific website.
  • 10%: The percentage of victims in domestic violence and sexual abuse cases who file a formal complaint, according to an annual survey by INSEE.
  • 1 in 5: The number of women who experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetime, according to the French women's rights group NousToutes.
  • 2016: The year in which a 25-year-old woman reported being raped by her ex-boyfriend, who was questioned by police about her clothing and why she didn't struggle more.

Sources:

  • Anna Toumazoff, creator of the #DoublePeine campaign.
  • NousToutes, French women's rights group.
  • The Associated Press.
  • Gerald Darmanin, Interior Minister of France.
  • INSEE, national statistics institute of France.
  • The Montpellier regional branch of Alliance, powerful police union.