Drugged and raped in Brest, Léa testifies in a documentary on France 2

“I’m tired of being silent. People need to realize that chemical submission exists and that it doesn’t just happen to other people. The more we talk about it, the more things will move,” Léa tells us.

The 22-year-old young woman, a former student in Brest, testifies in the documentary Chemical submission: so that shame changes sideswhich will be broadcast on France 2Tuesday January 21, 2025 at 9:10 p.m.

Directed by Linda Bendali, it is carried by Caroline Darian, the daughter of Gisèle Pélicot, drugged and raped for ten years by her husband and around fifty men.

“A waking nightmare”

The documentary follows the journey of six victims, including Léa. Smiling and bright. Like a shell, his armor. “I can’t let them win,” she says.

Léa tells this evening in April 2022 when his life changed. An outing with friends to celebrate the end of classes in a nightclub in the port where they are used to.

Two young soldiers offer him drinks. “I started not feeling well, feeling dizzy. » Around 5 a.m., she decides to go home and wait for the shuttle. The two soldiers offer to bring her back, she accepts. “I lived 5 minutes away and I felt confident. »

What happens next is blurry, scenes come back to him in flashes. ” I was conscious, but paralyzedlike a waking nightmare. I was no longer in control of myself, but I defended myself,” maintains Léa, certain of having been drugged.

“You have to prove that you are the victim”

Supported by her parents, she carried complaint and was examined at the hospital. “It was too late to detect the substances. I found out afterwards that we could take hair samples. I could have had proof,” laments the young woman.

She also has in her possession the confession from one of the soldiers, obtained by telephone from one of his friends, present in the documentary. Three years later, the procedure is still ongoing.

“We are humiliated,” Léa annoys. I had to fight to be listened to, you have to prove that you are a victim. » She calculates that she has already paid 8,000 euros in lawyer fees. “Luckily my parents are there, but they will no longer be able to support me, it’s a financial pit. » And psychological.

“I need to be believed in to turn the page. »

An emergency key ring

Léa now lives in Paris. To validate her diploma, she stayed a year in Brest after the events. “I lived in constant fear. » That of meeting his alleged attackers again.

Far from Brittany, the young woman, a business school student, tries to rebuild herself. It is particularly dedicated to the development ofa self-defense keychain that she created. Its concept is close to alarm bracelets for the elderly. “It allows you to call for help,” summarizes Léa.

The young woman also closely follows the debates arising from the trial of Gisèle Pélicot. She expects strong actions from political authorities. “We must provide real solutions to victims. »

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