the chilling testimony of a magistrate victim of an attempted rape in Créteil

Minutes of violence and fear. Since January 20, 2025, a man is tried before the criminal court of Paris for attempted rapes committed on several women near the Créteil court (Val-de-Marne). Among the victims, a magistrate of the court. This Tuesday, the latter came to the bar to recount her attack and the consequences on her life.

“You and I, we’re going to…”

It is 10:30 a.m. when this Friday, October 21, 2022, Pauline* leaves the metro to go to court. On this winding path near the university, the magistrate sees a man suddenly coming in his direction. “He pushed me and threw me to the ground, putting both hands on my chest. I lost my glasses in my fall,” recounts the victim in a calm voice.

At this moment, the magistrate tries to understand the motive for the attack: “I told myself that either it was a defendant who had recognized me, or that he wanted to steal my phone that I had in my hand. It's neither. “You and I are going to…” says the accused to his victim. Explicitly, he mimes a striking gesture with his palms. “I understood that he was planning to have sex,” the young woman modestly slips after miming the gesture in front of the judges.

“He was extremely determined”

Long minutes of struggle then ensue between the predator and his victim. “He picked me up and pulled me towards a small concrete path. He was extremely determined. I know I was screaming. I tried to bring people together. I cowered. It seemed to last quite a long time.” During the attack, the magistrate loses his shoes, coat and sweater. “I don’t remember exactly whether they were taken from me or not. I was so focused on escaping from him,” says Pauline, apologizing to the judges for not having more precise memories.

The screams will alert several passers-by. The accused flees. He was arrested shortly after attacking other women. The magistrate, in her bra and in shock, is taken care of. “I had dirt on me. People gave me my coat back to cover me. I was taken to the hospital and passed through themedicojudicial units. I came home in a taxi and had to stop on the road to vomit,” the victim said.

“I fought to regain my image”

For several weeks, the young woman will rebuild herself after these traumatic events. “I slept poorly the nights that followed and for several weeks, colleagues accompanied me on the way to court. Little by little, things calmed down. I was supported by my superiors and those close to me,” she declares. Even today, the young woman still has l’hypervigilanceespecially when someone walks quickly in their direction.

For the magistrate, who recently arrived in the court, her main fear was that the facts would harm her professional activity, where the handling of sordid cases is commonplace. “I was very afraid of being impacted. I was even proposed to leave the jurisdiction, but I enjoyed it and I didn't want to become the magistrate who was attacked. I fought to regain my image,” says the young woman. The trial verdict is expected this Wednesday.

*The first name has been changed

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