French Cases Expose Systematic Use of Chemical Submission in Sexual Assaults

A landscaper in Hérault and a hypnotherapist in Bouches-du-Rhône face charges for drugging, assaulting, and filming victims over years, underscoring investigative delays and victim identification challenges.

The 34-year-old landscaper in Hérault has been indicted for drugging and assaulting approximately 15 victims, including minors, and remains in custody as investigators identify additional victims.
The 47-year-old hypnotherapist in Bouches-du-Rhône awaits trial after being accused of drugging, raping, and filming at least 20 women over nearly a decade, with 17 victims identified as parties civil.
Both perpetrators used substances like alprazolam, GHB, and Zolpidem to incapacitate victims, often leaving them unaware of the assaults until informed by authorities.
Investigations reveal significant delays in addressing early complaints, with some dismissed or overlooked, allowing the crimes to continue for years.
These cases highlight growing public and legal awareness of chemical submission as a method of sexual violence, following increased attention during the 2024 Mazan trial.