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French Director Jacquot Charged with Sexual Assault of Two Actresses

Renowned French director Benoit Jacquot, 77, has been formally charged with rape. Prosecutors in Paris announced that Jacquot is accused of sexually assaulting actresses Julia Roy, 34, and Isild Le Besco, 41. This development has intensified scrutiny of France’s handling of sexual misconduct allegations within its cultural elite and has drawn international attention.

The accusations against Jacquot are part of a broader reckoning within the French filmmaking community, where numerous women have recently come forward with allegations of sexual abuse and exploitation. Critics argue that the industry has historically protected perpetrators and inadequately addressed misconduct claims.

The charges against Jacquot are based on allegations from Roy and Le Besco, who accuse him of sexual assault over different periods spanning decades. Roy, who appeared in several of Jacquot’s films between 2016 and 2021, claims the assault occurred in 2013 during what she describes as an initially professional relationship that turned abusive. Le Besco alleges that Jacquot raped her when she was a minor and he was 52, initiating a relationship marked by significant power imbalances.

The Paris prosecutor’s office has accused Jacquot of “rape of a minor” involving Le Besco from November 1, 1998, to November 21, 2000, when she would have been 15 years old at the outset.

Previously, Jacquot, along with fellow filmmaker Jacques Doillon, 80, was detained for questioning regarding these allegations, which both men vehemently denied. No charges resulted from earlier accusations by actress Judith Godreche, who alleged that Jacquot raped her during a relationship that began in the 1980s when she was 14 and he was 25 years older. Due to statute of limitations constraints, no investigation was carried out.

The allegations from Roy and Le Besco have now led to serious legal repercussions for Jacquot. A spokesperson for Jacquot asserted his innocence and emphasized his commitment to fully cooperating with legal proceedings.

These accusations have reignited debate over the statute of limitations on sexual assault cases in France. Critics argue that these limitations often prevent justice for victims whose allegations surface years or even decades after the incidents.

The outcome of Jacquot’s case could set a precedent for how similar allegations are handled in the future, potentially influencing both legal procedures and societal attitudes toward sexual misconduct within the arts.

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