Reviewing her files, Christine Destombes grumbles: “Another case where the influence has not been recognized”. This local representative of the National Union of Associations for the Defense of Families and the Individual (Unadfi) examines the legal cases that she considers suspicious on behalf of the Champagne-Ardenne branch of the organization. To hear it, the objections are not lacking.
According to this specialist, “allergic to lies and manipulation”, in many investigations and verdicts, the question of sectarian influence is not mentioned, or misunderstood. As proof of this, the case of David V., sentenced to twenty years in prison at last instance in Troyes, for having killed his mother with a hammer. The man was in regular contact with a marabout, who accompanied him in his acting out and was sentenced to fifteen years in prison.
In this case, which L’Express recently echoed, Christine Destombes believes that a better understanding of the issues around this notion could have changed the situation for David. “Two years before the facts, he started stealing checks, robbed his brother, borrowed all over the place. He spoke of bad luck, evil eye, conspiracy, multiplied the telephone lines. But the attempts to file a complaint from his relatives were not taken into account”, regrets the volunteer.
The law is changing
How to recognize the shift, when charms, rites, the occult take over, when simple entertainment, spiritual thought, the remedy promised by certain esoteric leaders turn out to be so many pretexts for manipulation? “In the example of David V., the relatives had to call on a private detective to trace the origin of these changes in behavior, induced by his relationship with his marabout. But there were a number of clues, that the police did not perceive immediately”, reports Christine Destombes.
Since 2001, the About-Picard law punishes the abuse of weaknesses on people in a “state of psychological or physical subjection resulting from the exercise of serious or repeated pressure or techniques likely to alter their judgment to drive […] to an act […] prejudicial”. The text was modified at the beginning of 2023 to “facilitate the work of investigators”. It now includes situations where “the offense is committed in an organized gang […] having the purpose or effect of creating, maintaining or exploiting psychological or physical bondage”.
Since the National Assizes of the fight against sectarian aberrations organized in the spring for the government, the law is promised a new change. Secretary of State for Citizenship Sonia Backès wants to go further by creating a “crime of psychological subjugation”, in order to punish those who generate influence, even before they reap the benefits. The aim is also to facilitate the recognition of victims and their requests for reparations.
An evolution expected by the associations, because the victims are struggling to seek justice. The sliding is done without violence. Most of the time, the guru or the sectarian practice is initiated or presented by a relative, someone trusted, which lowers the judgement. “These people are almost never aware of being victims. They have the impression of being free of their choices. However, certain changes are made without their knowledge. Hence the importance of reinforcing this principle in the law and to do prevention,” said Christine Destombes.
A list of signs
To identify the grip, the associations and the main players in the fight against sectarian aberrations keep a series of weak signals up to date. If there is no absolute recipe, the presence in number of these elements must attract attention. That of Unadfi is based in particular on the criteria of psychiatrist Philippe-Jean Parquet, member of the High Council for Public Health and of the orientation council of the Interministerial Mission for Vigilance and the Fight against Sectarian Abuses (Miviludes). These clues are also the basis of the methods of the assistance and intervention cell in matters of sectarian aberration, a special police and gendarmerie brigade which assists in certain investigations.
If the person breaks with his habits, his beliefs and his “former values”, if he suddenly vows an “unconditional, emotional, behavioral, intellectual, moral and social allegiance to a person or a group or an institution”, or even if she puts herself completely at someone’s disposal, it may be that she is the victim of psychological subjugation. In addition to these criteria, there is also the notion of impermeability to opinions, attitudes and values other than those promoted in its new activities. And in the worst case, the carrying out of acts seriously prejudicial to the person.
On its site, Miviludes also gives other clues to cross-check, such as the adoption of a language specific to the group, the loss of critical thinking, a stereotyped response to all existential questions, or even the enlistment of children. “The teachers then notice that the student refuses certain activities, does not come on school trips, does not mix”, adds Christine Destombes. “If in addition you are being asked to change your lifestyle, if the outside world is being denigrated, if there is no opportunity for discussion, or if you are faced with increasing financial demands, then all the lights are red”, summarizes Donatien Le Vaillant, the head of Miviludes.