The “Thémis” unit, located in the labyrinthine Balard headquarters of the French Armed Forces in Paris, is dedicated to centralizing reports of harassment and sexual assault within the military. Comprised of a small team of seven people, including four individuals specifically tasked with assisting victims, the unit receives eight to ten calls per day. Despite the increase in media coverage of testimonies from women and men who feel that their experiences of violence have not been adequately addressed, the number of calls has remained consistent. However, there has been a noticeable increase in the willingness of individuals to speak out about their experiences.
The most common reports received by Thémis involve cases of sexual harassment, often involving a hierarchical power dynamic where a superior exerts control over a young woman or a junior member of the military. The unit’s rapporteurs, including 52-year-old officer David and three experienced female jurists, provide support to victims over the course of several years. Currently, over 500 victims are being managed by Thémis, highlighting the extent of the issue within the military. The head of Thémis, General Thibault de Laforcade, acknowledges the need for additional resources to address the growing demand for support and notes that there is room for improvement in the existing system.
General De Laforcade highlights the need for improvements in the structure and resources available to Thémis, emphasizing the importance of ensuring that victims have access to support outside of regular working hours. In response to this need, a system has been implemented where calls received during evenings and weekends are redirected to a psychologist or psychiatrist on call from the military healthcare service. This change aims to streamline the support process for victims and provide them with a single point of contact. Additionally, there is a push to revise the current investigation procedures within the military to address concerns related to the hierarchical filtration process.
Due to limited resources and staffing constraints, Thémis has faced challenges in providing support to victims effectively. General De Laforcade acknowledges the need for additional personnel to meet the demand for services and ensure that victims receive the support and assistance they require. The recent mission launched by Minister of the Armed Forces Sébastien Lecornu aims to address the shortcomings identified within Thémis and potentially implement changes to improve the handling of cases of harassment and sexual violence within the military. The conclusions of this mission are expected to be released by the end of May, providing insight into future improvements within the system.
