In a significant ruling, former French senator Joel Guerriau was found guilty of drugging an MP's drink with ecstasy, a verdict that has shed light on the issue of drug-facilitated sexual assault. Guerriau was sentenced to four years in prison, with 18 months of that to be served in detention. Additionally, he was ordered to compensate Sandrine Josso, the victim, €5,000 for emotional distress.
The charges stemmed from an incident in November 2023, when Guerriau, now 68, invited Josso, 50, to his Paris apartment. It was later revealed that he had spiked a drink with MDMA, a form of ecstasy, although he claimed it was unintentional and asserted that he had not intended to assault her.
Following the court's decision, Josso expressed a 'huge relief' about the guilty verdict while Guerriau's defense team stated their intention to appeal the ruling. The case has been pivotal in bringing to the forefront conversations around chemical submission, a term referring to drugging individuals for sexual purposes.
During the trial, Josso recounted how she began feeling ill after consuming a drink from a champagne glass at Guerriau's home. 'I had gone to visit a friend and I discovered an aggressor,' she recounted. After feeling unwell, she managed to leave and sought medical attention, where tests confirmed the presence of MDMA in her system at three times a recreational dose.
In his defense, Guerriau admitted to a history of depression and insisted he had planned to consume MDMA himself the previous night, claiming he inadvertently offered the spiked drink to Josso. 'I feel sorry for Sandrine,' he said. 'I am disgusted with myself, with my recklessness and my stupidity.' He also emphasized the need for greater awareness regarding the dangers of drugs like MDMA.
Since the incident, Josso has become a vocal advocate against chemical submission, expressing the long-lasting psychological impact of her experience. 'What I went through is still very painful,' she stated, highlighting her ongoing trauma and vulnerability.
The case and its implications signal growing attention to the discourse surrounding consent and drug-facilitated crimes, encouraging societal and legislative changes toward better protections for victims.
