New episode in the Florence Porcel case – Patrick Poivre d’Arvor. The writer is preparing to publish her new book on January 11, titled Shame, published by Jean Claude Lattes. A book in which he returns to the alleged rapes that he allegedly suffered from the former star presenter of TF1, Patrick Poivre d’Arvor, and for which he has already filed a complaint.
On this occasion, Florence Porcel was a guest of the exhibition Your turn, presented by Anne-Élisabeth Lemoine, Monday 9 January. The presenter begins the exchange by quoting an excerpt from this new book. “Write: ‘There was blood that day in 2004 (during the first alleged rape of 2004, ed.). Blood on the desk which I cleaned, red with shame, with the wipe he gave me. Blood on his hands that he had to clean before leaving for the Incredibles premiere at the Grand Rex. And a lot of blood in my panties, on the subway, while he took a break for the photo shoot. I have rarely had so much pain in my life”.
An absolutely chilling story. The presenter continues:It was your first sexual encounter. And you had read that it was normal to have pain the first time. This is what makes you say that you didn’t have the right rape, the one that allowed you to become aware of reality. And that’s why you tried to make sense in that moment. That’s why you explain that you eroticized him. To the point of believing it was the best day of your life“.
I was not able to understand what was happening to me
“Yes, with his help of course. I didn’t do it myself“, answers Florence Porcel.”This is what I explain. We are steeped in stereotypes and have been given ideas both about rape, about rapists, but also about victims. (…) Good rape is in fact what I’ve always seen in the cinema or read in books: a woman who screams, screams and struggles. I could not understand what was happening to me. This is what is absolutely necessary to deconstruct in society: these have received ideas, even with social networks and being much more informed. LThe men to whom this happens don’t always know how to recognize what is happening to them and they feel responsible and guilty. And therefore they are deeply ashamed“.
Also, Florence Porcel explains that it doesn’t have it “there is nothing to be gained by denouncing sexual assault against such a powerful man”. The same for all victims. “We have everything to lose. I have lost all my dignity, my honor, my career, part of my income, part of my freedom“.
In February 2021, Florence Porcel filed a first complaint against Patrick Poivre d’Arvor with the Nanterre prosecutor’s office, marking the beginning of a case that had several twists and turns. A second was filed in November 2021. This initiative generated a wave of testimonies against the former TV presenter. Nearly 90 women have testified to date, in front of the press or in court. Seventeen women filed a complaint, including eight for rape and two minors at the time of the alleged events. The 75-year-old journalist, for his part, has systematically filed a complaint for slanderous allegations and has always denied the various allegations.
Patrick Poivre d’Arvor remains presumed innocent of the charges until final judgment in this case.
