“I am counting on you to protect the children.” in the video: Judith Godresh’s touching speech in the National Assembly.

“Who should we count on so that no child becomes a victim of sexual or moral abuse on set or during casting?” This question was asked by Judith Godresh during the hearing held in the National Assembly on March 14, where the delegations for the protection of children’s rights and women’s rights gathered. Since filing her complaint against directors Benoît Jacco and Jacques Doillon for the rape of a minor in early February, the 51-year-old actress has increasingly emerged as a leading figure in the fight against sexist and sexual violence. women, but also children.

In front of an audience of deputies, the woman, who is also a director, evaluated the microcosm of French cinema without compromises or concessions. “When even today one so easily dismisses the words of a child who trusts society with the hope of listening. When another powerful person tirelessly rapes minors with complete impunity. When non-places follow one another and look the same. When the film society attacks, manipulates and “sad” children for decades, all this in front of an audience of conquered and silent lovers, in complete bliss, without a shadow of revolt, disgust, shock. When we address the technicians as inferiors, we treat them badly and shout at them,” he noted calmly at first. Before you ask yourself: “Where can I find these lost words on this road: women’s rights, children’s rights, the right to say no?”

“Society protects them”

Reflecting on the abuse she suffered in her youth at the hands of “directors adored by the French intelligentsia,” Judith Godrech was candid about her current inability to trust “a world ruled by adults.” Taking advantage of the opportunity, the actress recalled the psychological consequences of this violence. “Growing up I thought I was bad, dirty, guilty. Now I know that I did nothing. But society is guilty because it idolizes them, because it supports them, because it protects them,” he condemned. And by the way, let’s remember that in most cases of violence against children, the adult abuser is a trustworthy person. “His father, his mentor, his principal. The incest society of cinema is only a reflection of our society. The same mechanisms work. (…) I hope that you will protect the children, no longer send them to the cinema without any protection,” he finally insisted.

Already on February 29, during the hearings of the Senate, the actress asked to open a commission investigating gender and sexual violence in the film industry.