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Latest update: 19/05/2011
- Dominique Strauss-Kahn - France - violence against women
Strauss-Kahn’s sex crime allegations: What’s so funny?
Women’s rights campaigners in France are protesting against what they describe as “a torrent of sexist jokes” concerning the accusation that Dominique Strauss-Kahn trapped, sexually assaulted, and tried to rape a hotel maid in New York last weekend.
By Sophie PILGRIM (text)
When the news broke that IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn was accused of attempting to rape a chamber maid, the sorry tale didn’t get through the French press without a touch of humour.
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The most blatant laugh came from the free daily, Metro, which splashed “La débandade” across its front page. Literally meaning “stampede” or “disarray”, it is also a play on the word “bander”, which means “to be sexually aroused”.
But compared with what was about to be unfurled online, that was nothing.
On Twitter, tweets about DSK’s “doomed erection” were endless: “DSK preferred erection to election”, “It’s all gone wrong for DSK’s erection”, “An erection too far”… Even lawyer and influential blogger Maître Eolas tweeted: "DSK still favourite for the presidential erection".
Then came the tongue-in-cheek comparisons to Arnold Schwarzenegger (who admitted to fathering a child with one of his employees Tuesday), a minute of silence for the “death of DSK’s political career”… and eventually, giggles over the fact that the alleged victim may live in housing reserved for HIV-carriers. “Strauss-Kahn is really unlucky – he might have AIDS!” screeched one.
A young people’s forum listed a number of videos parodying the scandal, four out of five of which were voted “LOL” (laugh-out-loud) by readers.
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A pretend game, entitled “Maid Catcher”, showed a naked Strauss-Kahn edging his way closer to a cartoon character dressed as a French maid in high heels, and an old woman with a duster.
A round-up of cheap jokes was also being passed around, among them: “Strauss-Kahn mixed up foreplay (préliminaires) with primaries (primaires). We all make mistakes!”
Meanwhile, a popular pun mocking the incident was coined. “J’la force tranquille”, or “I force her effortlessly”, is a play on former president François Mitterand’s 1981 election slogan, La force tranquille (quiet strength). The pun resulted in a Photoshopped version of the original poster and its own Facebook page, which quickly attracted more than 18,000 followers, and an endless stream of jokes about the chamber maid herself attesting to DSK’s “seduction” methods.
A laughing matter?
French feminists were outraged by the jokes. “We are not talking about a libido problem,” Thalia Breton of the “Osez le féminisme” movement told FRANCE 24. “Whether Strauss-Kahn is guilty or not, we are talking about a serious crime. You cannot joke about that.”
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With the number of sexual violence victims in France who actually press charges against their aggressors at a measly 10%, Breton argued that they could do without mockery. “The reaction to this affair will send a very dangerous message to victims of sexual violence,” Breton said. “They’re going to think that as soon as they speak out, their ordeal will be put under scrutiny and joked about.
“People need to be educated on this issue,” she continued. “They need to realise that sexual violence is not a laughing matter.”
French historian Georges Vigarello, author of “A History of Rape: Sexual Violence in France,” described in the book how the French have come to realise, after centuries of misunderstanding, that sexual violence is “the worst crime of all,” which causes “the shattering of identity,” and even “psychic death”.
But in terms of justice, the reality is far less impressive. It is estimated that only 2% of rapists are convicted and sentenced in France.
As Breton points out, “There is a long way to go when it comes to raising awareness on this issue. The jokes that have arisen from this story only show that violence against women is simply not taken seriously enough.”
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(12) Reactions
NOT GUILTY !
ITS ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE THAT SOMEONE CAN BELIEVE IN THIS STORY, A MAN WITH A HIGH POSITION, MARRIED, CHILDREN, A POSITION FACING THE MOST IMPORTANT PERSONALITIES IN THE PLANET...THEN, HE JUST HAS AN ERECTION AND TAKES THE FIRST ANGOLAN WOMAN SHAPED SUPPOSELLY FREE, AND STROGLY FORCES HER TO MAINTAIN SEX RELATIONS...COME ON, LET ME LAUGHT ON THIS !! THERE IS SOMETHING WEIRD BEHIND THIS SIMPLY STORY....
sex crime
Would it have been a joking matter if he grabed her and punched her in the face? Assault is assault, rape if about aggression, degradation, and dominance, not just some horny guy looking to get off, if that is what he wanted he would have hired a hooker.
justice!
I have a very high regard with the Americans. A nation of real human and I admire them. Justice should be bestowed both to the victims and even the criminals and suspects as well. Let the wheel of justice finds its straight path. Reap what you sow!
Kahn
The difference between America and France,or Europe ,Britain included,these countries are peasant countries America isn't.There is one law for its peasants and one law for its privileged class.And centuries of indoctrination how superior and morally elite its ruling class is,is for admiration for its peasants.Hence why our peasants in broadcasting and media are amazed that he was arrested.Best advice for its privileged people in Britain and Europe when going to America ,remember you are not privileged if you commit a crime in America.
disrespected
A man in his position should never put himself in a position to be compromised. If consensual sex is his defense, then he has admitted to such poor judgement and disrespect for both the maid and his wife, that he no longer deserves respect for his decisions. He is not to be trusted.
I was pretty disgusted with
I was pretty disgusted with the reaction I saw from France about this. I'm glad there are people calling the sexist commentators out for this.
Lighten up people
As a victim of sexual violence I will tell you that the feminists need to lighten up. It is not the end of the world. I am not the first person this has happened to. I will not be the last. You have to joke a little or the unfortunate events in life will eat you alive. There is enough misery in the world. Time heals all wounds but a sense of humor can be a life saver to cling to in the rough sea of life.
Also, if it is proven she is lying, she should serve the sentence he would have served if convicted. Crying rape as a revenge weapon is an insult to every rape survivor.
Strauss-Kahn’s sex crime allegations: What’s so
Yes it is a very serious matter, but most people I know think that it is America playing political games, or some sort of political motive, or at least political exploitation or a rival incident brought on by a misunderstanding. Therefore it is not taken as a real situation.
Yes, how sad
France is a country that always want to show the way and give lessons, but does not follow it itself. I don't know where I read yesterday something like 'think it that had happened in France, probably the story would not have come out and the man arrested, because too high and too famous to be put in doubt. whether he is or not, looks like American justice has done its duty.
We've got to learn a lot from that, we French...
2%?
Only an estimated 2% of rapist are convicted and sentenced?
That sounds appallingly low, could you give any source on that?