Paris prosecutor launches plan to combat secondary victimization of complainants

Paris prosecutors and their partners are launching a new action plan to address "secondary victimization," the harm complainants suffer due to judicial system failures. Paris Prosecutor Laure Beccuau announced the plan, which takes effect in September, aiming to combat stigmatizing attitudes and ensure victims feel believed throughout the legal process.

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The goal is to make the victim understand that a closed case does not call into question their credibility.

The initiative seeks to improve how investigations are conducted and how victims understand case outcomes. A key measure involves providing personalized explanations for decisions to dismiss cases, making the reasons clearer and offering better guidance on appeals or compensation options. "The goal is to make the victim understand that a closed case does not call into question their credibility," Beccuau stated.

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A-t-elle already revolutionized an investigation? And if it remains necessary, how to build it?

Furthermore, the plan scrutinizes the practice of "confrontation," a phase where a complainant faces a suspect. While often seen as a crucial investigative step, Beccuau acknowledged it can cause significant "suffering" for complainants. A cross-disciplinary reflection among magistrates and investigators will explore its necessity and how it can be conducted more sensitively.

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Being neutral and impartial does not mean being cold or insensitive.

The plan emerged from a working group including police, lawyers, doctors, magistrates, and victim support associations. Their discussions, informed by victim testimonies, highlighted the particular challenges in cases of domestic, sexist, and sexual violence. "Being neutral and impartial does not mean being cold or insensitive," emphasized the president of the Paris judicial court, Peimane Ghaleh-Marzban, calling it a "cultural revolution."

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I remember eight years ago at the beginning of proceedings for rape, the investigator asked me if I had taken pleasure, the investigating judge asked me if I was aware of the effect I was having on men.