France unveils new measures to protect women in wake of Pelicot affair
France announced on Monday a new campaign to combat violence against women, including raising awareness about the use of drugs to commit sexual abuse, as the country reckons with a mass rape trial that has shocked the public.
The French government announced on Monday, November 25 new measures to combat violence against women, including state-funded test kits, the ability to file complaints at more hospitals and increased emergency aid.
Speaking at the Hôtel-Dieu public hospital in Paris’s 4th arrondissement to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, French Prime Minister Michel Barnier promised that “there will not be any tolerance for violence against women” and said that “more needs to be done”.
“These last months the French have been deeply moved by the incredible courage of Gisèle Pelicot,” said Barnier, referring to the mass rape trial that has sent shockwaves across France and beyond. Dominique Pelicot is on trial for raping and recruiting dozens of strangers to rape his heavily sedated, now ex-wife Gisèle for almost a decade in the southeastern French village of Mazan, where the couple lived and where most of the events took place.
‘Raising awareness’ for chemical submission
Günbay also welcomed the increase in universal emergency aid to help victims of domestic violence and support them when they leave their homes.
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