A French court convicted Gerard Depardieu of sexually assaulting two women on a film set, imposing an 18-month suspended prison term. The court found both women's testimonies credible, supported by witnesses, despite some uncertainty regarding the timing of the assaults. Depardieu's denial and planned appeal highlight the complexities of such cases in the film industry. This ruling represents a pivotal moment in France's ongoing struggle against sexual misconduct and raises crucial questions about definitions of assault, particularly in creative sectors impacted by the #MeToo movement.
"With this decision, we can no longer say [that Gerard Depardieu] is not a sexual abuser," Carine Durrieu-Diebolt, a lawyer for one of the victims, told reporters outside the courtroom shortly after the verdict was announced.
The verdict marks a major moment for France's long-stalled reckoning with #MeToo, and with broader questions about how assault is defined, particularly within the film industry.
Both women gave consistent, credible accounts of being groped by the actor, with witness testimony supporting their claims, marking significant progress in the #MeToo movement.
While the court acknowledged some uncertainty around the timing and location of Sarah's assault, it emphasized the strength of her descriptions and corroboration.
Collection
[
|
...
]