The new government of Elisabeth Borne was announced on Monday, July 4. It replaced Damien Abad, the Minister of Solidarity who was the subject of a complaint for attempted rape. Chrysoula Zotropoulou, currently Secretary of State for Development and La Francophonie, International Partnerships, remains with the government. She is also subject to two complaints for "rape" and one each for violence by a person in control of public service missions.
In June, the case was triggered by facts that date back to 2010, when she was a gynecologist. Stop VOG, a group committed to obstetrical and gynecological abuse, received three testimony from patients who hadn't filed a complaint. These were cases that date back to 2013, 2016, and 2020.
The Paris prosecutor opened a preliminary investigation in May after the second complaint. Antonin Levy, the Secretary of State, stated that "the serious accusations against me, regarding medical clinical examinations performed in order to diagnose the disease of my patients are unacceptable and revolting".
Aurore Berge, the president of the Renaissance group at the National Assembly, stated on RTL that "not to place an equal sign between them both", but the retention of Chrysoula Zopoulou in government elicited this Monday morning the outrage of feminist movements, such as Osez le feminisme. Follow us on Twitter.
The association criticizes the National College of French Gynecologists and Obetricians for trying to rethink the definition of rape within the context of gynecological consults, while the Kouchner law of2002 provides for free and informed consent of the patients. It also advocates the "culture of rape" in government.
The Collective for Women's Rights demanded that the Secretary of State be resigned.
"Gynecological and genital rape is not allowed to be done by women. This is why there is such a taboo. Doctors are also allowed to practice without regard for the precautionary principle. This is because it is assumed that victims lie. It would be a strong signal from the government to listen from these victims", said Sonia Bisch, spokesperson for Stop Obstetrical & Gynological Violence.
Chrysoula Zigarou's preliminary investigation is still open. Aurore Berge assured her support.
