Sexual harassment in the workplace is increasingly recognised and reported. However, women who press charges are embroiled in a lengthy and painful legal process. This film’s unprecedented access and insight allows four women to tell their stories.
Cristina suffered sexual propositions from a superior colleague. When the situation became unbearable, her harasser was finally dismissed… but so was Cristina. She won damages in civil court but got nowhere in criminal court.
Childhood friends, Laurie and Gwenaelle, both worked for another boss who made inappropriate, offensive and sexually explicit comments towards his staff. The two women eventually cracked. Their harasser was ordered to pay damages, but, despite damning evidence, there was no criminal sentence.
Mother of two, Catherine, worked as a town hall secretary in Normandy, suffering sexist comments, insults, provocation and inappropriate touching from the mayor. Paralysed by fear, she suffered for 11 years before she found the strength to bring the incident to trial. Placed in custody, the mayor admitted the majority of charges but claimed that Catherine had consented.
Reporting incidents of sexual harassment takes great courage, yet reluctant prosecutors often call victims’ testimony into doubt, with devastating effects…