A French parliamentary commission has determined that sexual violence is both prevalent and ingrained within the nation’s entertainment sector, following a six-month investigation that involved 350 participants from the fields of cinema, television, and live performances.
This inquiry was initiated after actress and filmmaker Judith Godrèche publicly accused two French directors of sexually assaulting her during her teenage years. Her allegations spurred lawmakers to investigate the pervasive culture of abuse in the industry.
Chaired by Sandrine Rousseau, a Member of Parliament from Europe Ecology – The Greens (EELV), the commission’s report underscores the ongoing abuse across various artistic fields. Rousseau stated, “The violence observed in the examined sectors—namely cinema, audiovisual, theater, dance, and music—is not only persistent but also endemic and systemic. It encompasses moral, sexist, sexual, economic, and physical dimensions.”
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The report criticizes the entertainment industry as a “talent grinding machine” and presents 86 recommendations designed to enhance protections for performers, especially minors, on film and theater sets, as reported by AFP.
These findings emerge shortly after the high-profile sexual assault trial of actor Gérard Depardieu, marking a significant moment in France’s confrontation with abuse in the entertainment industry in the aftermath of the #MeToo movement.
