LThe testimonies of soldiers or former soldiers reported by the press to report the harassment and sexual violence suffered at the hands of other soldiers revolt us. We first want to have a message for all the victims – women as well as men – who live with this burden and who wonder if they can be considered as such, when they have always been taught that a soldier He is never a victim since he consents to the fight. A soldier joins the armies of France to protect, never to attack. So, yes, being sexually assaulted or harassed, even when you are in the military, makes you a victim; the victim of a fratricidal act that you have a duty to denounce.
Within the armed forces, if a victim speaks, they must be listened to and heard. His word must be collected and believed. She must then be protected from her attacker or harasser. This word must liberate the victims, it must not condemn them. It is up to the harasser or aggressor to step out of line, the burden should fall on them.
To achieve this, the armies must, like all the institutions of our Republic, be intractable. Intractable so that attackers convicted by the courts cannot remain in the institution. Intractable so as not to let any victim leave the armies, destroyed and soiled. The Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces reminded the armies to immediately take the exemplary sanctions required against soldiers who have committed sexual violence, but also against those who tolerate or minimize it.
Systematic suspension of functions
We reminded each of our subordinates of the rules by instruction on March 26. They are based on a clear obligation: the protection of the victim. When a soldier or civilian personnel of the Ministry of the Armed Forces reveals incidents of sexist or sexual violence to his superiors, the command must ensure that he can no longer be in contact with the person involved. The removal of the victim is prohibited. A report is made immediately to the public prosecutor.
From now on, and each time there is a suspicion of rape or sexual assault presenting sufficient plausibility, the person accused will be systematically suspended from their functions. She must then be quickly and severely sanctioned, if the facts are proven. Finally, we have decided that, in the context of criminal proceedings against a soldier, the opinion given to the prosecution is limited to stating the facts for the acts of sexual violence.
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