Firefighters Who Allegedly Raped Teenage Girl Exonerated By Supreme Court

A woman named Julie saw a heartbreaking end to her fight against 20 firemen after the Supreme Court issued its verdict on the complaint. The girl took her case to the higher court after it a previous court ruling refused to prosecute the accused. It was previously ruled that the whole thing could have not happened if the girl had not been provocative or flirting.

After a lengthy battle, it appears the efforts of Julie have gone for naught. A ruling on the case was handed down on Mar. 17. Her case was dismissed with the Supreme Court believing the girl had all the necessary means to prevent the alleged sexual assault. Further, they saw no proof backing that she was obligated to have sex with the firemen.

The victim was only 13 when the alleged sexual abuse began. It continues until she was 15 years old, the rape of which reportedly happened a record 130 times over two years. Julie eventually told the whole ordeal to her mother and was eventually reported to authorities. Only three of the 20 firefighters were charged with sexual abuse.

The girl argued to the Supreme Court that her age, health issues and medication played a role at the time, pointing out that it could not be considered to have consented to sex. Ironically, the decision came not long after a new law setting the age of 15 was passed by politicians in France. Under the new law, adults who have sex with children younger than 15 are prosecuted for rape.

Before the new law, proof showing that sex with an under-18 deemed non-consensual was needed. Upset with the decision was Julie’s mom, Corinne Leriche.

“[The judgement] validates a false vision of the balance of power between an adult and a minor,” the Leriche family said. “This judgment is undoubtedly at odds with reality and with France's international obligations.”