21 women say they have been drugged, call for boycott of bars launched
The Hérones 95 collective has identified many victims of the “rapist’s drug” in the bars of the Pigalle district. He calls for better training of night staff.
On social networks, the testimonies of women victims without their knowledge of the well-to-do GHB for a few weeks. The movement gathered around the hashtag #Balancetonbar, used for the first time in Belgium.
In Paris, and more precisely in the Pigalle district, 21 women have been victims of this drug, according to the Hérones 95 collective which encourages them to speak out. To make the managers of nightlife establishments react, the collective called last weekend for a boycott of bars.
“It started in Belgium and it was important to echo in solidarity with this movement and to call us also for a boycott so that there is a movement of demonstration against all the dysfunctions which allow these crimes” explained Eina, member of Heroines 95.
“Before, I didn’t ask myself the question at all”
A few days ago on BFM Paris, Taeko, one of the members of the collective had recounted the evening during which one of her friends was drugged with GHB, also called “rapist’s drug”
“All of a sudden she had big hot flashes, she felt an instant urge to vomit” she described, adding “she could not stand on her legs anymore until she collapsed on the floor. and she lost consciousness “.
A week later, the trauma was still present for the victim. “Physically she no longer has any consequences, but morally it leaves traces. Going out in public places where you don’t know everyone is difficult, but also when she is at home, she has anxieties”.
Faced with the proliferation of testimonials like this one, some women interviewed by BFM Paris share their concern. “It doesn’t give a feeling of security when you go out,” said one of them.
“When I went out before, I didn’t ask myself the question of this kind of problem at all, because we didn’t necessarily talk about it, so I never said to myself ‘I can get drugged'” testified a passerby.
Samy Berry, manager of the “Lily of Charonne” in the 11th arrondissement, assured that he had never been confronted with this drug in his bar, but he remains vigilant.
“We really try to frame and try to understand.
The manager also spoke of “solutions” to combat this problem such as glass caps, which can be made available to protect his drink. But for the Heroine 95 collective, this proposal is insufficient.
“We are ultra vigilant, why once again it would be up to the victims to protect themselves and not the aggressors to stop assaulting and the establishments controlling their places? »Launched Taeko, member of the collective.
Heroines 95, for example, offered older staff in night establishments to support victims or to create secure spaces where they can wait for help without danger.