French Actress Adèle Haenel Walks Out of Trial Amid Allegations of Sexual Assault

Sat Mar 01 2025 01:18:38 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)
French Actress Adèle Haenel Walks Out of Trial Amid Allegations of Sexual Assault

Adèle Haenel's confrontation in court reignites conversations about abuse in the film industry.


In a highly publicized trial, French actress Adèle Haenel abruptly left the courtroom while confronting filmmaker Christophe Ruggia, who is accused of sexually assaulting her as a child.

Haenel, age 35, who announced her exit from the French film scene last year, made headlines as she faced Ruggia during his defense at trial. The 59-year-old director claimed he was merely seeking to "protect" Haenel during her rise in fame, which prompted her to shout "shut up" before leaving the courtroom. Haenel has accused Ruggia of sexual molestation occurring in the early 2000s when she was between 12 and 15 years old. Ruggia vehemently denies the accusations, labeling them as "pure lies" and suggesting that Haenel is retaliating for not casting her in subsequent roles after their collaboration on the 2002 film "Les Diables."

Haenel has spoken out about her experiences of manipulation and control at the hands of Ruggia, claiming she faced an environment rife with abuse masquerading as artistic mentorship. This abuse persisted throughout the filming and continued through alleged weekly meetings where Ruggia reportedly behaved inappropriately and attempted to isolate her from family supervision.

The trial has brought forward testimonies from other industry professionals regarding the unhealthy environment on set, and Haenel states that she only recognized the exploitation as abusive after watching the documentary "Leaving Neverland." Investigators retrieved troubling notes attributed to Ruggia that detailed his focus on Haenel’s physical attributes during her adolescent years. After severing ties with Ruggia, Haenel grapples with her mental health and reveals that the manipulation left her feeling "dirty" for years.

While Ruggia has admitted to making "errors" in his treatment of Haenel, he maintains he never intended to harm. The prosecution, however, argues against his narrative, emphasizing his culpability as an adult.

Following Haenel's courageous declaration against industry complacency regarding sexual predators, the trial's outcome could have significant implications for ongoing conversations about accountability in cinema. Adèle Haenel's lawyers are seeking compensation for moral damages and therapy expenses, with a verdict anticipated by February 3rd.

MORE ON THEME

Fri, 28 Feb 2025 05:36:09 GMT

**Japan's MeToo Advocate Faces Backlash Over Oscar-Nominated Film**

Fri, 28 Feb 2025 05:36:09 GMT
Thu, 27 Feb 2025 05:22:51 GMT

Trafficked Dreams: The Dark Reality of Cyberfraud in Myanmar

Thu, 27 Feb 2025 05:22:51 GMT
Thu, 27 Feb 2025 02:10:17 GMT

Energy Transfer vs Greenpeace: The High-Stakes Court Battle Over Dakota Access Pipeline Protests**

Thu, 27 Feb 2025 02:10:17 GMT
Tue, 25 Feb 2025 11:36:11 GMT

A Coruña Awards Heroic Migrants for Bravery in Homophobic Attack

Tue, 25 Feb 2025 11:36:11 GMT
Tue, 25 Feb 2025 03:53:29 GMT

Ex-Surgeon Faces Child Abuse Charges in Landmark French Trial

Tue, 25 Feb 2025 03:53:29 GMT
Mon, 24 Feb 2025 20:39:56 GMT

**French Surgeon Confesses to Disturbing Child Abuse in Historic Trial**

Mon, 24 Feb 2025 20:39:56 GMT
Mon, 24 Feb 2025 13:05:39 GMT

**French Doctor Faces Historic Trial for Mass Sexual Abuse**

Mon, 24 Feb 2025 13:05:39 GMT
Fri, 21 Feb 2025 20:47:46 GMT

Guilty Verdict in Salman Rushdie Stabbing Case

Fri, 21 Feb 2025 20:47:46 GMT
Fri, 21 Feb 2025 01:33:24 GMT

Luis Rubiales Fined €10,800 for Unconsented World Cup Kiss

Fri, 21 Feb 2025 01:33:24 GMT
Thu, 20 Feb 2025 13:37:30 GMT

Luis Rubiales Convicted for Non-Consensual World Cup Kiss: Court Ruling

Thu, 20 Feb 2025 13:37:30 GMT
Thu, 20 Feb 2025 13:01:38 GMT

Ex-Soccer Chief Luis Rubiales Found Guilty of Sexual Assault Against Player Jennifer Hermoso

Thu, 20 Feb 2025 13:01:38 GMT
Thu, 20 Feb 2025 04:50:21 GMT

Insights from A$AP Rocky's Trial: Verdict and Revelations

Thu, 20 Feb 2025 04:50:21 GMT
Thu, 20 Feb 2025 04:48:04 GMT

Delta Air Lines Offers $30,000 to Each Passenger After Flight Crash in Toronto

Thu, 20 Feb 2025 04:48:04 GMT
Thu, 20 Feb 2025 04:15:58 GMT

A$AP Rocky's Trial: A Surreal Chapter in Hip-Hop History

Thu, 20 Feb 2025 04:15:58 GMT
Wed, 19 Feb 2025 18:46:06 GMT

### Charges Against Israeli Reservists Spark Controversy Over Detainee Treatment

Wed, 19 Feb 2025 18:46:06 GMT
Tue, 18 Feb 2025 11:28:46 GMT

**Outrage Erupts Over Tragic Death of Child Maid in Pakistan**

Tue, 18 Feb 2025 11:28:46 GMT
Mon, 17 Feb 2025 01:53:11 GMT

**Tragedy Strikes: 18 Lives Lost in Delhi Railway Station Crush**

Mon, 17 Feb 2025 01:53:11 GMT
Fri, 14 Feb 2025 16:04:54 GMT

Parents Share Heart-Wrenching Accounts of Daughters' Ordeal in Hamas Captivity

Fri, 14 Feb 2025 16:04:54 GMT
Fri, 14 Feb 2025 12:30:53 GMT

Resilience Amidst Shadows: The Untold Story of Freed Hamas Hostages

Fri, 14 Feb 2025 12:30:53 GMT
Fri, 14 Feb 2025 05:42:33 GMT

Allegations Widen Against Fayed Brothers as Harrods Scandal Escalates

Fri, 14 Feb 2025 05:42:33 GMT

Follow us

© 2024 SwissX REDD UK ltd. All Rights Reserved.