Greece has been agitated for a year by a wave of revelations relating to sexual assaults, akin to the international #Metoo movement. This liberation of victims’ speech seems to go hand in hand with a dynamic of women’s emancipation, in a society with relatively conservative morals. Cases of sexual assault and harassment were indeed until recently often considered taboo.
From our correspondent in Athens,
A case particularly agitates the Greek media in recent days. This is a rape accusation case for which social networks served as a sounding board, before the traditional Greek media took up the subject.
In Thessaloniki, the country’s second largest city, a 24-year-old woman accuses three people – including heirs of wealthy Greek families – of having drugged and then raped her in a hotel where a big New Year’s party was taking place, in the presence, therefore, of members of high society. An investigation is underway on this evening, where the presence, moreover, of prostitutes, seems to direct the police towards a network of pimps which would extend to Cyprus.
If the presumption of innocence is required before the conclusion of the investigation, this case of possible rape is causing a stir in Greece. In particular on the Internet and on Twitter where the keyword #με_την_Γεωργια – “with Georgia”, the first name of the alleged victim – testifies to massive popular support for the young woman. Friday evening January 21 in Athens, several thousand people – including a large majority of women – also demonstrated to denounce rape and sexual assault. A demonstration whose online photos were captioned by these same words: “With Georgia”.
► To listen also: #Metoo in Europe: where are we?
#Metoo in Greece since January 2021
It all started in Greece a year ago, after the testimony of one of the country’s most renowned sportswomen. Sofia Bekatorou is a former Olympic sailing champion and it was she who opened Pandora’s box by revealing that she had been sexually assaulted by an official of her federation when she was a young athlete, some twenty years earlier.
These statements sparked an outcry in Greece, where the sportswoman was received at the time by the President of the Republic. In one year, the revelations of sexual assault have since multiplied, especially in the middle of culture.
► To listen also: Where is #Metoo?
What are the consequences of this movement?
For now, the most visible consequences are a series of trials that begin this year in Greece. It is time, therefore, for the judicial response. In mid-January, a first trial opened in Athens: a trainer is accused there of raping a young sportswoman who was 11 years old at the time of the events.
Also accused of rape of minors, the former artistic director of the Greek National Theater, Dimitris Lignadis – imprisoned since – will be tried from February. In March, it will be the turn of the trial of a famous actor, Petros Filippidis, also in prison. He will have to answer for accusations of rape and attempted rape of fellow actresses.