France parliament unanimously agrees to create committee on sexual violence against minors in entertainment industry

The French parliament unanimously adopted Thursday a proposition by the Commission of Cultural Affairs and Education to create a new inquiry commission on the sexual violence committed against minors in the film, entertainment and fashion industry.

Introducing the factual context the proposition is taking place in, a report by the Commission states that behaviors which could be perceived as acceptable twenty years ago, are now considered as impermissible. The report also cites Judith Godrèche, a French artist and activist who has participated in several parliamentary meetings, denouncing sexual abuse on minors in the film industry. In a discussion with the delegation of children rights, Godrèche argues that the world of cinema is hiding this violence. In February, Godrèche sued Benoit Jacquot and Jacques Doillon, two famous French directors, for rape.

The MeToo movement has gained considerable momentum these recent years in France. Gérard Depardieu, a cinema icon in France, was put in jail this Monday, on accusations of sexual aggression. He is to face trail this October, in Paris. Philippe Caubère, an actor, was accused in January for sexual assault on a minor.

French institutions have taken a number of recent steps aimed a protecting children and allowing victims of abuse to seek justice, including the Senate passing an age verification law for social media and an independent commission recommending removing statute of limitations for sexual violence against minors