Prevention and combating gender-based and sexual violence and harassment
The Premiers Plans Festival affirms its commitment to all its employees, service providers, volunteers, participants, guests, partners, etc., with regard to the prevention of gender-based and sexual violence.
Premiers Plans reiterates that there can be no impunity within its structure or during the event for perpetrators of gender-based or sexual violence and harassment, that incidents can be reported to the manager – or their line manager – and that any harmful acts may be reported to the authorities.
Sexual violence that violates fundamental human rights is prohibited by law and punishable by criminal penalties.
The Festival management undertakes to:
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Do everything in its power to stop and punish any comments or behaviour involving sexist and/or sexual violence and harassment within the Festival.
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Implementing the procedure set out in the Collectif 50/50 Kit in the event of a report. (in french)
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Conducting an immediate, serious, impartial and contradictory investigation.
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Hear the victim, hear the witnesses and hear the person accused.
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Take the necessary measures. Depending on the seriousness of the facts, the consequences could range from exclusion from Festival events to dismissal for serious misconduct.
What should I do if I am a victim or witness?
Contact the harassment officer, who will explain the procedure to be followed.
Three officers have been appointed to deal with harassment and violence of a sexist and sexual nature: Hélène Chabiron, Jumaï Laguna and Arnaud Gourmelen. You can choose to contact any one of them. They will be your first point of contact if you are a victim or witness of inappropriate sexist or sexual behaviour. They will listen to you in the fairest and most compassionate way possible and are committed to systematically following up on your requests, from mediation to investigation. After consulting with you and with your agreement, they will inform the Festival management of the situation, who will decide collectively on the appropriate course of action and response.
The contact person, accompanied by members of the Festival management team, will:
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will ascertain the facts
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will interview any witnesses and those close to the person accused
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will immediately meet with the person accused to ask for their version of events.
The Festival management will decide as quickly as possible on the measures to be taken to protect the victim and, depending on the seriousness of the facts, punish the person accused.
In addition, there is a psychological counselling and legal support unit for victims or witnesses of rape, sexual harassment, gender-based violence and sexual violence.
Here are its contact details:
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Telephone: 01 87 20 30 90 Monday to Friday, 9am to 1pm and 2pm to 6pm.
You can contact this service at any time, providing your surname, first name and telephone number. You will be contacted no later than the working day following your request.
The Premiers Plans Festival also encourages you to download the App-Elles app, which you can find on the App Store and Google Play right here:
3919: Helpline, information and guidance service for women who are victims of gender-based and sexual violence (free call)
Naming to understand and prevent: some definitions
Please familiarise yourself with all the terms listed below and their definitions to better understand the issues at stake.
Sexual harassment
The act of harassing someone through actions or words. The act of repeatedly subjecting a person to sexually suggestive comments or behaviour that undermines their dignity, or of using pressure to obtain a sexual act (offence). Sexual harassment is a form of violence based on domination and intimidation, which is prohibited and punishable by law. Sexual harassment in the workplace is punished more specifically.
(Article L1153-1 of the Labour Code, Article 222-33 of the Criminal Code, Case law of the Court of Appeal of Orléans (2017), European Directive: 2002/73/EC)
Sexual violence
Sexual violence is defined as any sexual act, attempted sexual act, comment or advance of a sexual nature directed at a person without their consent. It violates the fundamental rights of the individual and is prohibited by law and punishable by criminal penalties.
Sexist violence
Any behaviour related to a person's gender that aims to undermine their dignity or create an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment is considered sexist.
(Article L1142-2-1 of the Labour Code, Article 6 bis of the 1983 Act, Article 33 of the 1881 Act)
Sexist abuse
Sexist remarks that undermine dignity or create a degrading environment.
(Article 621-1 of the Criminal Code)
Control
Psychological control is characterised by different stages that gradually lead to emotional dependence and the manipulator gaining power over their victim. It is often a precursor to sexual violence, which may then be considered consensual, although this is generally not the case.
Rape
Rape refers to any act of sexual penetration, of any nature, or any oral-genital act, committed with violence, coercion, threat or surprise.
(Article 222-23 of the Criminal Code)
Rape is a sexual assault committed without the victim's consent. Physical violence is not necessary for an act to be classified as rape. Rape or attempted rape is a crime, prohibited and punishable by law, even if committed by the victim's spouse.
Sexual assault
Sexual assault occurs when a sexual offence is committed with violence, coercion, threats or surprise. This may include touching. For sexual assault to occur, there must be physical contact between the victim and the perpetrator. Sexual assault or attempted sexual assault are punishable by the same penalties, even if committed by the victim's spouse.
(Article 222-22 of the Penal Code)