Earlier sex attack by Strauss-Kahn

As mentioned in a previous entry, today’s New York Times tells of a violent sexual attack by Dominique Strauss-Kahn on a female writer who was interviewing him. The Guardian provides further information on the same attack that was mising from the Times’ coverage, including the name of the victim, her relation to Strauss-Kahn’s second wife, the long-term effect on her life, and her photo:

Tristane Banon, whose mother claimed on Sunday night that
Dominique Strauss-Kahn had attacked her daughter in 2002.

The Guardian reports:

… But now [DSK’s] plan to run for the Elysée Palace appears to be in ruins, even without resolution of the New York case, after further allegations against him were broadcast on French television on Sunday night.

A local official of the Socialist party claimed that Strauss-Kahn had attacked her daughter, who is goddaughter to Strauss-Kahn’s second wife, in 2002.

Tristane Banon was in her 20s and writing a book when she approached Strauss-Kahn for an interview in 2002. In a TV programme in 2007, in which Strauss-Kahn’s name had been bleeped out, Banon allegedly described him as a “rutting chimpanzee” and described how she was forced to fight him off. “It finished badly … very violently … I kicked him,” Banon said. “When we were fighting, I mentioned the word “rape” to make him afraid, but it didn’t have any effect. I managed to get out.”

Banon consulted a lawyer, but did not press charges. “I didn’t want to be known to the end of my days as the girl who had a problem with the politician.”

Banon’s mother, Anne Mansouret, told journalists on Sunday night she had dissuaded her daughter from legal action because she believed Strauss-Kahn’s behaviour had been out of character and because of close links with his family. “Today I am sorry to have discouraged my daughter from complaining. I bear a heavy responsibility,” she said.

She said Strauss-Kahn was “an otherwise warm, sympathetic and extremely talented man,” but the attack left her daughter depressed and traumatised. “My daughter, despite the passing years, is still shocked by these facts. Her life was completely upset by this affair and she was depressed for a long time.” She added that it was clear Strauss-Kahn had “difficulty controlling his urges.” She said: “I’m not a doctor or psychiatrist, but there is something violent in this predatory move.”

The Guardian also says:

Of the half-a-dozen candidates expected to seek the Socialist party nomination in the autumn, Strauss-Kahn was the frontrunner. A poll for the Parisien newspaper, before the furore erupted, gave him 41 percent among members of his party, way ahead of his nearest rival. With Sarkozy’s popularity at a record low, “DSK” was on track to get to the Elysée Palace in the two-round election next year.

- end of initial entry -

James P. writes:

I guess now we’ll see whether or not the Roissyite gamer types are correct that everyone loves strong, dominant Alpha males and forgives them their sexual transgressions.

LA replies:

While I am critical of the gamer types, I am not aware that they endorse rape.

James P. replies:

Not all gamers condone rape, but I think many of them argue that society condones rape (or sexual harassment) if the perpetrator is an Alpha. The claim is that an Alpha can get away with things that would instantly get a Beta fired or imprisoned. The typical example is Bill Clinton, and all the women who leaped to defend him both during the 1992 campaign and the Lewinsky scandal.

Stephen T. writes:

In my hasty scroll-and-scan, I initially assumed the photo you posted (of Tristane Banon) was of the hotel maid! I immediately thought: Jobs Americans won’t do? Who says?? Wow, maybe these border controls I’ve been advocating are having some effect, after all …

LA replies:

Hah hah.

Laughter is always welcome.

Posted by Lawrence Auster at May 16, 2011 08:59 AM | Send