French Government Spokeswoman Encourages Reporting of Sexual Violence in Patrick Bruel Probes

The French government spokeswoman on Tuesday encouraged women to report sexual violence, including incidents from decades earlier. She made the remarks while addressing allegations of rape and assault against singer and actor Patrick Bruel. "We must continue to bring into public discourse extremely clear messages that encourage women to speak out, even decades later," government spokeswoman Maud Bregeon told France 2.

She added that authorities should ensure victims of sexist and sexual violence can speak publicly and be heard by the justice system.

Prosecutors in Nanterre reopened an investigation on Monday into an alleged rape from 2015. The accuser, Ophelie Fajfer, was 19 at the time and had sought professional advice from Bruel at his southern France residence, according to her lawyer Myriam Guedj Benayoun.

The Nanterre prosecutor's office is also handling three other rape investigations involving alleged incidents in 1997, 2000, and 2008. A separate probe was opened in Belgium after a complaint of alleged sexual assault. Two additional women filed a complaint last week alleging rape and sexual assault, which is expected to trigger another investigation.

Bruel, 67, has denied all accusations. "I have never forced a woman," he wrote on Instagram on Sunday. " Bruel is a prominent French singer and actor with multiple top-selling albums and appearances in more than 40 films.