A French court has convicted film director Christophe Ruggia of sexually assaulting actress Adèle Haenel when she was between 12 and 15 years old. The assaults occurred during the early 2000s.
Ruggia, 60, received a two-year house arrest sentence with an electronic bracelet, along with a suspended two-year sentence. This verdict marks a significant milestone in France’s #MeToo movement.
The court ruled that Ruggia exploited his dominant position over Haenel, engaging in sexualized behavior during their frequent meetings at his home over three years. This resulted in Haenel’s gradual isolation from her loved ones.
Despite the verdict, Ruggia denied any wrongdoing. In contrast, Haenel, now 35, expressed relief as the verdict was announced.
Her courage in speaking out has made her a key figure in France’s #MeToo movement, highlighting the film industry’s failure to address sexual abuse.
Haenel first accused Ruggia of inappropriate touching during and after filming “Les Diables” (The Devils) in 2019.