One woman claims 20 firefighters raped her for two years from the age of 13 in France: two admit to having “group sex” while on duty and wearing uniforms
- A woman in France claimed she was raped by 20 firefighters for two years
- She claims she was only 13 when a firefighter began preparing her
- Ten years later, three men have been charged with sexual rape
- Case has sparked protests and renewed calls to introduce an age of sexual consent
A woman in France has claimed she was raped by 20 firefighters over a two-year period, from 13 to 15 years old.
The woman, now 25, said she was prepared by a firefighter who helped her during an anxiety crisis in 2008.
Ten years after the alleged abuse, three men have been charged with sexual rape and the country’s highest court will have to resolve the case on Wednesday.
The case of the alleged victim, who has been christened “Julie” by French media, has sparked protests in France, as militants demanding an age of sexual consent should be enshrined in law.
Dozens of people gathered in Saint-Michel Square to demand “Justice for Julie” on Sunday
Under French law, there is a “sexual majority age” at 15, but there is no age below which a minor cannot be considered to have given his or her consent, i.e. a child is not necessarily considers a victim of a rape.
It is a crime for someone in a position of authority to have sex with a person under the age of 18.
In comparison, in the UK, sex with children under 13 is a legal violation.
Protests erupted across France over the weekend in support of the woman.
Julie claims that a firefighter named Pierre began preparing her at age 13 before she was raped by him and 19 of his colleagues over a two-year period.
In January 2009, Pierre allegedly visited Julie’s house and raped her while her mother was out for a walk with a dog.
Julie told investigators that in November 2009, Pierre, all dressed in full uniform, allegedly took Julie to her apartment where two colleagues came and proceeded to rape her.
Under French law, there is a “sexual majority age” at 15, but there is no age below which a minor cannot be considered to accept. Above, protests in Paris on Sunday
At least three of the firefighters have admitted to having sex with the teenager at the time, although they maintain that sex was consensual.
Julie says she was “terrified and paralyzed by fear” at the time.
The men visited his home 130 times over two years, according to a report published in The Guardian.
The girl’s mother told investigators she had no idea what was going on. “I even made cake for the firefighters,” he said.
De Pierre said: “I thought he was the last person to do such a thing because I had helped him so many times and I saw the vulnerability he had.”
Julie’s physical and mental health deteriorated after the alleged assaults and she was prescribed anti-anxiety medications.
After withdrawing the medication in July 2010, Julie revealed the abuse to her mother, who filed a police report.
Dozens of people gathered this Sunday in Saint-Michel Square to demand “Justice for Julie”
His case has been moved to the country’s supreme court of appeal and will come to a conclusion on Wednesday.
Three men are currently charged with “sexual rape,” although prosecutors will argue that all 20 men should be convicted of rape.
In France, the maximum sentence for sexual rape is seven years, compared to 20 for rape.
To file rape charges in France, the complainant must show that she was forced or violently coerced.
The victim’s lawyer, Marjolaine Vignola, said: “All the stereotypes about the rape are in this case: the judges and the psychiatrist say that Julie is a liar, that she consented to sex with all those men and that she lies that they violate it because she is ashamed.