“Let’s not sweep violence under the rug!”: In the midst of the Cannes Film Festival, a bill was introduced on Wednesday in the National Assembly to strengthen the fight against violence in the world of cinema and culture.
One year after the publication of a parliamentary report on the subject, “charters have been signed, listening centers have been established” but these “advances remain fragile as long as they are not based on a strong legislative foundation,” according to MPs Erwan Balan and Sandrine Rousseau.
Creation of a new offense
“Despite the media coverage of numerous testimonies, one case always replaces another, without ever questioning the structural conditions that allowed this scourge to grow,” they added in a statement. “The careers of the perpetrators continue, while those of the people who dared to speak out are shattered.” Faced with this observation, the two lawmakers deem it “urgent to effectively strengthen the protection of minors,” especially by establishing a systematic integrity check for anyone working with this public.
Their bill also calls to “legally secure the jobs and rights of workers” by “prohibiting any financial penalty, salary deduction, or demand for damages and interest against those who report acts of sexist and sexual violence and harassment.” The text also provides for an enhancement of criminal sanctions, particularly by creating a “new offense compelling employers to report incidents brought to their attention.”
Systemic sexual violence
In its report published in April 2025, the parliamentary investigative commission on #MeToo in culture reported “systemic” sexual violence in this sector and listed 86 recommendations to stop “the talent-crushing machine.”
This commission was created in the wake of rape accusations made in early 2024 by actress Judith Godrèche when she was a minor against directors Benoît Jacquot and Jacques Doillon.
