The woman claims that 20 firefighters raped her in two years from the age of 13 in France: two admit to having “group sex” while on duty and wearing uniforms
- A woman from France claimed to have been raped by 20 firefighters for 2 years
- She claims she was only 13 when a firefighter started caring for her
- Ten years later, three men were charged with sexual assault
- The case sparked protests and renewed calls to introduce an age of sexual consent
A woman from France claimed that she was raped by 20 firefighters for a period of two years, between 13 and 15 years.
The woman, now 25, said she was cared for by a firefighter who assisted her during an anxiety crisis in 2008.
Ten years after the alleged abuse, three men have been charged with sexual assault, and the highest court in the country is due to rule on the case on Wednesday.
The case of the alleged victim, who was nicknamed “Julie” by the French media, sparked protests in France, militants demanding an age of sexual consent should be enshrined in law.
Dozens of people gather in Place Saint-Michel to demand “Justice for Julie” on Sunday
Under French law, there is an “age of sexual majority” at 15, but there is no age below which a minor cannot be consented to, which means that a child is not necessarily considered a victim of 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 under the age of 13 is a legal rape.
Protests erupted across France over the weekend in support of the woman.
Julie claims that a firefighter named Pierre began caring for her at the age of 13 before being raped by him and 19 of his colleagues for a period of two years.
In January 2009, Pierre allegedly visited Julia’s house and raped her while her mother was walking the dogs.
Julie told investigators that in November 2009, Pierre, while wearing his full uniform, allegedly took Julie to his apartment, where two colleagues came and raped her in the gang.
Under French law, there is an “age of sexual majority” at 15, but there is no age below which a minor cannot be considered to agree. Above, protests in Paris on Sunday
At least three of the firefighters admitted to having sex with the teenager at the time, although they claim that the sex was consensual.
Julie says she was “terrified and paralyzed by fear” at the time.
The men visited her home 130 times in two years, according to a report in The Guardian.
The girl’s mother told investigators she had no idea what was happening. “I even made a cake for the firefighters,” she said.
About Pierre, she said: “I thought she was the last person to do such a thing, because she helped her so many times and saw how vulnerable she was.”
Julie’s mental and physical health deteriorated as a result of the alleged assaults and she was prescribed anti-anxiety medications.
After the drugs were removed in July 2010, Julie revealed the abuse of her mother, who filed a police report.
Dozens of people gathered in Place Saint-Michel on Sunday to demand “Justice for Julie”
His case has been taken to the country’s supreme court of appeal and will reach its conclusion on Wednesday.
Three men are currently charged with “sexual assault”, although prosecutors say all 20 men should be convicted of rape.
In France, the maximum sentence for sexual assault is seven years, compared to 20 for rape.
In order to bring charges of rape into France, the applicant must prove that she was forced or coerced.
The victim’s lawyer, Marjolaine Vignola, said: “Every stereotype about rape is in this case: the judges and the psychiatrist say that Julie is a liar, that she agreed to have sex with all those men and that she lies that she was raped because he is ashamed. ‘