Iv drip The juice you can't live without

Is France issuing a licence to rape?

31 October 2012 09:20 AM

New Statesman

It's a funny time for feminism in France. On the one hand Hollande has made good on his promise for a 50 per cent female government. On the other hand, this is the homeland of Dominique Strauss-Kahn.

The "Cretil verdict", as it's known, is giving France fresh cause to question the treatment of women, writes Valeria Costa-Kostritsky in the New Statesman.

The case relates to an accusation of repeated gang rape made by two women now in their 20s/ The alleged rapes took place over a six month period in 1999. On October 11, a verdict was given allowed ten of the fourteen accused to walk free, while four were granted lenient sentences of less than a year. What does this say about the attitude to women in the French judicial system?

"Nina and Stéphanie's case reminds us that in France only one rape in 11 is reported, and that only 2% of rapists are convicted," writes Costa-Kostritsky. "...this case seems to reveal that France is failing when it comes to dealing with rape. For Hollande and Vallaud-Belkacem [head of France's ministry of women's rights], it's a test. Let's hope they will pass it."

SOURCE
    Next     |     Previous

React Now

IV DRIP

Mr Gove's alternative grammar test

 

As we were saying...

Twitter Round-Up: Last Night's Question Time

Twitter pays tribute to retiring David Beckham

Poll: Should Cameron help BP to cover costs of oil spill?

Another Tory shambles over the EU

IV DRIP

Read Next
 

The chasm that could swallow Cameron alive

Donald Macintyre
 

Politicians may choose to hide behind the EU, but the electorate will flush them out

Dominic Lawson
'There is a battle going on inside us that is never discussed'

Masculinity in crisis?

'There is a battle going on inside us that is never discussed'
Have US shock jocks gone too far?

Have US shock jocks gone too far?

An incendiary remark from Rush Limbaugh may be the beginning of the end for outspoken right-wing US broadcasters
The ‘Beverly Hills’ of Surrey pays more income tax than big cities of the North

The ‘Beverly Hills’ of Surrey

Elmbridge pays more income tax than big cities of the North
Heavenly Bodies

Heavenly Bodies

Michael Landy's artistic marriage made in heaven... and hell
'He will always be a friend': Jackie Stewart backs Polanski

'He will always be a friend'

Jackie Stewart backs Roman Polanski
The price of pacifism: Refusing to go to war is finally being recognised as a brave act

The price of pacifism

From the Second World War refusenik to the 19-year-old Israeli, Holly Williams talks to five people who risked shame and suffering to take a stand as conscientious objector.
'It was mass hysteria': Jason Isaacs on groupies, theatre bores and snogging James Bond

Jason Isaacs: Groupies, theatre bores and James Bond

To millions, Jason Isaacs is one of Harry Potter's arch enemies – but his wife prefers him as a Scottish TV detective.
Notes from a small island: Is Sealand an independent 'micronation' or an illegal fortress?

Sealand: 'Micronation' or illegal fortress?

Thomas Hodgkinson spent a week at the tiny platform off the Suffolk coast to find out.
Not a bad bone: Mark Hix cooks with cutlets and ribs

Mark Hix cooks with cutlets and ribs

If you ignore cutlets and ribs, you'll risk missing out on some delicious and easy meals, says our chef.
The experts' guide to summer: From getting fit for the beach to recreating that Olympic buzz

The experts' guide to summer

From getting fit for the beach to recreating that Olympic buzz
Sex, drugs and fast cars: The legend of James Hunt has set Hollywood hearts racing

Legend of James Hunt has set Hollywood hearts racing

Early glimpses of Ron Howard's film Rush suggest it will portray Hunt as a high-living lothario, with an insatiable appetite for partying.
Macklemore: 'I don't have moderation when using drugs and alcohol. It was hurting my life'

Macklemore: 'I don't have moderation'

The next Vanilla Ice or the next Eminem? Macklemore doesn't have a record contract – but he does have the UK's biggest-selling single of the year.
Don't be shy: Bill Granger's Sri Lankan recipes

Don't be shy: Bill Granger's Sri Lankan recipes

Sri Lankan cuisine is light, sunny, wonderfully spiced – and so easy to cook from scratch. Just as soon as you've broken into the coconut, that is.
Sir James Dyson’s latest project: Cleaning up hospitals

Sir James Dyson’s latest project: Cleaning up hospitals

Doctors are hailing the revamp of a Bath neonatal unit, where babies sleep more and feed better, as the model for patient care
One man returns to Argentina's town that drowned

One man returns to Argentina's town that drowned

Epecuen was submerged under 10 metres of water in 1985. Now the floods have gone – and 83-year-old Pablo Novak has moved back in