Tinder devourer Salim Berrada: 20 years in prison for rape!

Tinder devourer Salim Berrada: 20 years in prison for rape!

A cry of relief and sadness echoed through the courtroom of the Val-de-Marne Court of Appeal when the verdict against Salim Berrada was announced. The 36-year-old, who became known as the so-called “tinder vibrator,” was sentenced to twenty years in prison. The punishment exceeds the demand of the public prosecutor, who had requested 18 years in prison. During the sentencing, Berrada showed no emotion, underlining his precarious attitude, as he denied the allegations and claimed that the relationship was consensual. The president of the court, Bertrand Grain, pointed out the extreme seriousness of the alleged acts, which spanned two years and were of a “serial nature,” as well as the “permanent and high trauma” inflicted on the victims. According to the ruling, Berrada must also leave the country permanently.

What is particularly frightening is that, according to the victims' lawyers, the acts are not isolated, but rather part of a larger problem of sexual violence that threatens women worldwide. Recent studies show that one in three women will experience violence in their lifetime. In Germany, representative studies have shown that 13% of women and girls have experienced sexual violence, and in Hamburg more than 1,900 crimes against sexual self-determination were reported in 2020, with 88.1% of those affected being female. The rise in cases of rape and other serious sexual assaults is alarming; the number of unreported cases is considered high.

Chemical Subjugation in Focus

Another aspect that is important in connection with Berrada's actions is the method of "chemical subjugation", which is also discussed in other recent cases. This practice involves secretly administering psychoactive substances to manipulate or deprive victims of control. One of the most famous cases concerns Dominique Pelicot, who rendered his wife unconscious and left her to several dozen men. Such acts show how dangerous and far-reaching the problem of sexual violence is. Experts report that drugs and alcohol are often used to put women in a state of vulnerability. According to figures from the French Medicines Agency, this happened in 56% of cases with medication and in 42.6% of cases in private contexts.

A look at the social dimensions shows that close acquaintances are often involved in chemical subjugation cases. This highlights the importance of educating about such issues to raise awareness and support victims.

After the verdict was announced, the plaintiffs hugged each other, some crying out of relief and gratitude. The lawyers described the 13-day negotiations as “healing” for the women, who were not only confronted with their past but were also able to take a step towards justice. Berrada's actions are an urgent appeal to continue efforts in the fight against sexual violence and the associated forms of oppression.