It often starts with a “Mademoiselle” and ends with “answer his female dog”. Between the two, thousands of women are victims of sexist harassment every day on the bus or in the metro. To this violence that has become ordinary, the government says “stop, that’s enough”.
On the metro platforms of Paris, Lyon, Marseille and several suburban transport networks, a poster campaign aims to awaken the consciences of users, often silent witnesses of attacks.
“We see neither skirt, nor grimaces, nor hand with salacious buttocks”, remarks Florence Deguen in The Parisian. Just a metro line whose station names have been replaced by the insults that women regularly suffer.
This initiative, the first of its kind in France, is one of the 12 measures of the plan presented on July 9 by Pascale Boistard, the secretary for women’s rights, the daily recalls. Interactive videos broadcast on social networks put victims and witnesses of assaults in a situation with several possible reactions: mobilize other passengers, call the SNCF emergency number (3117), send SMS, warn one of the 6 000 agents specialized in the fight against sexual violence (in Ile-de-France).
And the public authorities issue a warning to the aggressors by reminding them that their behavior can cost up to 22,500 euros in fines and six months in prison.
Recently, the High Council for Equality between Women and Men recalled a striking figure: 100% of French women have already been victims of this type of attack, whether in the street or in public transport.
And from today, notes the journalist, 100% of French people will no longer be able to say that they were not aware.
