Carla Bruni supports the victims of the Elite case

In September 2020, the Paris prosecutor’s office opened an investigation for rape and sexual assault on minors against Gérald Marie, former boss of the Elite modeling agency. In September 2021, 6 women thus testified in front of the brigade for the protection of minors about what happened to them when they started working for Elite. They are supported by the ex-companion of the accused man, who is none other than Linda Evangelista. The top model said of those who accused Gerald Marie in October 2020: “Hearing them now, and based on my own experiences, I believe they are telling the truth. It breaks my heart because these are wounds that might never heal, and I admire their courage and strength. to speak today. ”

For many alleged victims, the facts seem time-barred because of their seniority. However, former models have spoken publicly about this case, in order to encourage other potential victims, for whom the facts are not prescribed, to speak out. Among the supports, we count theformer first lady and top model Carla Bruni. In the New York Times, she said: “Enough is enough. I’m alongside Square (the ex-model Carré Sutton, Editor’s note) and other survivors of Gerald Marie who come to Paris to testify against their attacker. No industry is immune to sexual abuse. There is so much work to be done in France and around the world to ensure that women are protected from sexual violence at work. “

What is the Gérald Marie affair, named after the former boss of Elite?

The former boss of Elite is accused of sexually assaulting and raping young models who worked for Elite in the 80s and 90s. The man allegedly abused his power to obtain forced sex, with him or his friends , from women or girls, some of whom were cut off from their relatives. What started in the form of rumors, revealed by Lisa Brinworth in a BBC documentary in 1999, have been the subject of an investigation since the filing of a complaint by ex-model Carré Sutton in August 2021 in New York state. There, the Child Victims Act allows survivors of childhood sexual abuse to sue their abusers, no matter how long ago they were abused.

At a press conference held in Paris on September 7, 2021, the ex-model called on all potential victims to come forward. There remains hope, especially thanks to journalist Lisa Brinworth, that justice will be done to them. Indeed, at the time of the broadcast of his documentary, a libel lawsuit against the BBC prevented him from using his evidence to file a complaint. Today, these could be used.