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Writer to file Strauss-Kahn rape complaint
French writer Tristane Banon leaves the office of her lawyer David Koubbi in Paris May 17, 2011.
Credit: Reuters/Charles Platiau
PARIS |
PARIS (Reuters) - A French writer will file a legal complaint against former IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn on Tuesday alleging that he tried to rape her more than eight years ago, her lawyer told Reuters.
Lawyer David Koubbi said the complaint by Tristane Banon, 32, a journalist and author, related to an incident that took place when she went to interview Strauss-Kahn, a former French finance minister, in an apartment in Paris.
"Tristane Banon will file a complaint on Tuesday for attempted rape in Paris," Koubbi said.
"These acts are extremely serious," he added. "These events were combined with a violence that was absolutely striking for these kinds of situations."
Strauss-Kahn was released from house arrest in New York on Friday after prosecutors said they doubted the credibility of a hotel maid who alleges he tried to rape her.
A lawyer for Strauss-Kahn told Reuters he had been instructed by the former IMF head to bring a counter-action against Banon for falsely accusing him.
"The facts that she recalls are imaginary," said attorney Henri Leclerc.
Koubbi, the attorney for Banon, would not say whether the timing of her complaint was affected by the developments in New York. Until his May arrest, Strauss-Kahn was seen as the left's best chance of winning the 2012 election.
Under French law, a complaint of attempted rape can be brought up to 10 years after an alleged attack.
Koubbi had said several times in recent weeks that his client was considering taking action against Strauss-Kahn over the incident, which he said on Monday took place in early 2003, not in 2002 as had previously been reported.
Banon's mother Anne Mansouret, a Socialist councilor, has said she regrets talking her daughter out of filing a complaint at the time.
The incident first surfaced publicly in 2007, when Banon discussed it on a television talk show, with Strauss-Kahn's name bleeped out.
During the show, which has been widely circulated online in recent weeks, Banon said he had insisted on holding her hand during the interview, before making advances that led to her fighting him off as he tried to undo her clothing.
(Reporting by Gerard Bon and Pauline Mevel; Additional reporting by Alexandria Sage; Writing by Catherine Bremer; Editing by Andrew Roche)
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I believe this woman. I had a similar circumstance where my mother’s best friend was married to a pedophile and yet she kept bringing us to their home … and I was 5. I was too young to remember the first time, but 18 when it was the last. My mother arranged to have me stay in his home when I moved to this city.
He assaulted me the first night and the only thing that saved me was he had a bad leg. Although I was 3 inches taller and 30 years younger, he still overpowered me, twice. Even though he didn’t rape me, it was so close and painful and it was utterly terrifying. I shook for days. When his wife called to ask why I left, I told her exactly what had happened and she seemed shocked… but it was all part of the song and dance to save face.
When my sister told me about the assault when we were younger, I was shocked my mother would put me in harms’s way. She knew of his past (he was a convicted sexual offender) but thought he wouldn’t hurt me as his wife was her best friend. I still am shocked thinking my Mom put her friendship before her children’s welfare.
This does happen… all the time. I have been sexually assaulted 3 times in my lifetime, twice as a child. There have been more that came close… and I am a pretty ordinary statistic in North America. BUT, France is much worse. Victimizing those who are your underlings is almost expected. Coming forward will ruin you, as the elite stick together and being female means you are a second class citizen. Bernard-Henri Levy, a friend of DSK, says there is only one victim, DSK!
Ah yes France… where the elite still rape and sexually assualt with impunity.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/05/opinion/05nocera.html?_r=1
Rape was not recognized as a crime in France until 1980…
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-05-23/strauss-kahn-new-york-case-may-curb-libertine-ways-of-powerful-french-men.html
If you have some time, read these well written perspectives on 2 recent cases of rape.
http://sashasaid.wordpress.com/2011/07/02/when-rape-victims-lie/
http://sashasaid.wordpress.com/2011/06/02/jury-deadlocks-on-rape-charges-despite-911-recording-of-rape/
She did wish to take action. Her mother talked her out of it, because her mother would have lost face amongst the elites that she was working with at the time. She also convinced her she would not be believed, which is of course true. Sexual predators are considered virile and strong by other frenchmen and the French lasws are far behind those of North America.
Banon also went to the media in 2007 to tell what happened, but the press protected his name. The interview did eventually air, but DSK’s name was bleeped out.
I hope she does write a book about powerful men and how they continue to rape with impunity. France is about to embrace DSK as a victim and a hero. If you read my account above, you will know that I am with her that seeing DSK released and eating a steak while his accuser and (possible rape) victim is raked through the coals, would be upsetting and would make me come forward as well, had I not had the courage in my youth.
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