Fri Dec 13 20:21:24 UTC 2024: ## France Launches Helpline Amidst Nationwide Shock Over Mass Rape Trial

**Paris, France – December 14, 2024** – A new helpline in France, the Reference Centre on Drug-Facilitated Sexual Assault (CRAFS), is addressing a surge in calls following a shocking mass rape trial that has gripped the nation. The trial of Dominique Pelicot and 50 co-defendants, accused of using drugs to facilitate sexual abuse over many years, has sparked widespread outrage and protests, raising awareness of this form of assault.

Launched on October 15th, amidst the ongoing trial, CRAFS has received numerous calls from both victims and healthcare professionals struggling to identify and respond to drug-facilitated sexual assault. The helpline provides information on symptoms, such as drowsiness, nausea, disorientation, and amnesia, and offers guidance on next steps, including advice on whether to pursue medical tests like hair analysis.

Dr. Leila Chaouachi, founder of CRAFS, emphasized the importance of the service, noting that healthcare providers often lack sufficient training to recognize the subtle signs of drugging. The helpline also challenges misconceptions surrounding this type of assault, highlighting that it isn’t limited to young women in nightclub settings, but can involve victims of all ages and circumstances, including domestic abuse and elder exploitation.

The trial itself has revealed a disturbing pattern, with the now-former wife of Dominique Pelicot only recently discovering she had been drugged and repeatedly raped over nearly a decade. Prosecutors are seeking lengthy prison sentences for the defendants, with a verdict expected in the coming days.

The helpline underscores a growing need to address drug-facilitated sexual assault in France, where over 110,000 cases of sexual violence were reported in 2023. CRAFS offers victims a crucial resource, providing support, information, and encouragement to report their experiences, even if the abuse occurred in the distant past. The data collected is also helping authorities understand the methods used by perpetrators and improve responses to this insidious crime.

Read More