The publication on March 8 of an investigation by Mediapart targeting the singer of “Who has the right”, containing the testimonies of eight women, was the starting point of the “Patrick Bruel case”. Since then, new investigations signed by Elle and Mediapart have emerged, extending the list of alleged victims of Patrick Bruel, including Flavie Flament and Karine Viseur, who testified with their faces uncovered. The latter actually filed a complaint for sexual assault on March 24 regarding events dating back to 1991: even though her case is prescribed by law, the Belgian hopes that her testimony will strengthen the case against the 67-year-old artist, while giving an international dimension to the case.
“The prey is me, and he tries everything to chase me away”
In the pages of La Tribune Dimanche on May 24, the fifty-year-old woman strongly recounts her version of the events she considers to be a sexual assault. “We are in 1991, in Brussels. I’m 38 years old and I welcome the team of the film ‘Like the 5 fingers of the hand’. From the welcome of the team, Patrick Bruel expresses his satisfaction of having a female press officer to his taste. In the vehicle, his teasing starts off modest, vague, but very quickly it becomes harassment,” she recalls to our colleagues, before describing the displayed sense of impunity of the man who was then at the peak of his fame: “Patrick Bruel has no limits, he says what he thinks, without filter […] There are words, pressure, he always needs to have physical contact, to take me by the waist, I feel his lips on my neck, he never asks, I dodge when I can, but you can feel that he is the pillar of the film, the actors let him and respect him.”
Karine Viseur then describes the sexual assault of which she claims to be a victim, which allegedly started in the singer’s dressing room, when he was invited by RTBF to promote his film: “By the time I turn around, he is against me, I feel the pressure on my back, his hands squeezing me, his breath on the back of my neck and I see his eyes, his face: he is happy, excited, happy to be against me, it’s a physical need.” The young woman then allegedly pushed him away by pretending to have to get her makeup done, only for Amanda Sthers’ ex to come back for her to show him the way to the bathroom: “Obviously we don’t leave Patrick Bruel to wander alone in the corridors, so I accompany him. And there,” in a fraction of a second, he grabs my wrist and pulls me into the toilet, which he closes. He leans me against the door, I can’t open it, again he presses his lips, tries to kiss me, his hands caressing my legs, under my dress, under my tights.”
An influence from which the young Karine Viseur fortunately manages to break free. Despite the years, she does not forget the face of her alleged assailant, after what could be interpreted as an attempted rape: “I manage to get away from that, and he, his face returns completely normal, he will go on the news, it must be a very good poker player to show such a poker face in a fraction of a second. He becomes an artist who has to go on a television set.” She also specifies during this interview that she expressed her lack of consent several times, in vain: “In the toilet, I said no several times. And he said, ‘But yes, you will like it, I know you’ve been waiting for this since this morning. They all appreciate it.’ It’s a monologue: he doesn’t wait for an answer, in fact. He has set himself a goal, the prey is me, and he tries everything to chase me away.” A chilling testimony.
Why did Karine Viseur agree to testify openly against Patrick Bruel?
Speaking to our colleagues, Karine Viseur explains the reasons that led her to break the silence. For herself, but also for other potential victims: “I feel that the word is freeing itself, that women are gaining confidence, thanks to those who have already testified like me. New complaints will arrive very soon.” She, who now feels “strong” and “has nothing to prove,” is currently focusing on the judicial outcome of this large-scale case: “I am preparing for the confrontation, it will take place, it’s obvious! […] I know that for my case it is prescribed, but my file is swelling, adding weight to that of France, it is becoming international and serial. Since we are many, there is hope that these cases will lead to a trial one day.” Patrick Bruel, who is currently the subject of three investigations for rape and sexual assault, denies all accusations and remains presumed innocent. He should be questioned soon by investigators.
