French singer Patrick Bruel charged with rape

The singer's reaction

Bruel himself had already rejected the allegations via Instagram the previous month. He had „niemals eine Frau gezwungen“, he wrote at the time. He also had his lawyers convey that he firmly contests all accusations brought against him.

At the same time, he cancelled all concerts planned through September. The cancelled dates make up a significant portion of his ongoing tour and represent a severe blow to the artist's concert activities this summer.

Background and societal debate

Patrick Bruel has been a fixture of the French music and film industry for decades. He became known in the late 1980s with chansons and pop songs and appeared in numerous French feature films. He also performed internationally on occasion, including in Switzerland and Belgium.

In France, the accusations against the popular artist are triggering heated debates. The wave of allegations is part of a broader societal reckoning over sexual abuse in the entertainment industry, which was sparked in the country by the #MeToo debate.

The charge by the investigating judge in Nanterre near Paris is the result of an investigation that lasted several years. The prosecution had compiled the allegations and submitted them to the judge for a decision on whether the charge would be admitted and whether pre-trial detention would be imposed.

Support services for those affected

Little is known so far about the identity of the women who filed complaints. Reportedly, the investigators had gathered the statements over an extended period before the charge was admitted.

Victims of sexual violence in Germany can contact, among others, the Women's Helpline at 0800 222 555, which is available around the clock and free of charge. Further points of contact include WEISSE RING at 0800 112 112 as well as the child protection organization „Die möwe“ at 01 532 15 15.

Outlook on the trial

The further criminal proceedings against Bruel will now be conducted by the responsible chamber of the court in Nanterre. A date for the main hearing has not yet been set. Should Bruel be convicted, he faces several years in prison under French law.