Anouk Grinberg, a 62-year-old actress, has broken her silence about the sexual violence she endured throughout her life with the publication of her autobiography, Respect, on April 3, 2025. The book reveals harrowing details of her experiences, including being raped at the tender age of seven by a friend's stepfather and enduring incest by her brother at twelve.
Grinberg's revelations come in the wake of her support for fellow actress Charlotte Arnould, who has accused Gérard Depardieu of rape. In various interviews, including an appearance on TMC's Quotidien on April 4, she detailed the profound impact these traumatic events have had on her life.
Reflecting on her childhood, Grinberg described her first assault: "A digital rape that lasted at least one hour, the time of the film we were watching on TV, lying on our stomachs, my friend and I... There was no recourse from my friend, who was on the bed, watching television and did not see, nor from this man..." She recounted her attempts to confide in her father, who failed to understand her plight and instead took her back to the perpetrator's home.
Grinberg also accused her brother of incest, stating, "He was not a mean boy, but he did it. I remember being frozen that my beloved older brother, who was supposed to protect me, acted this way... What incest produces, especially when it happens with someone you trust, is that forever, sex and betrayal are linked."
Her tumultuous relationship with filmmaker Bertrand Blier, who passed away in January 2025, is another focal point of her book. Grinberg lived with Blier for ten years in the 1990s and starred in several of his films, including Merci la vie and Mon homme. She described how, during their time together, she was subjected to abuse and manipulation. "For many years, I chose silence because I have a son with Bertrand Blier, and it was essential for me to protect him," she stated.
She detailed the psychological and physical abuse she suffered, saying, "I was the object of his delusions during the filming of Merci la vie, being slapped, strangled, and forced to say horrible things. I did not react when I received slaps, when I was strangled, when I was made to say terrible things. In that, I was his object, and I did not realize it." Grinberg also revealed that Blier had her forcibly medicated with neuroleptics for years to gain her compliance.
In her recent interviews, Grinberg emphasized the long-lasting effects of these assaults. "Even 50 years later, if the man I love touches me, I still feel like a child," she confessed, highlighting the deep psychological scars that remain. She explained that the shame associated with such violations often leads victims to silence, stating, "When one is violated as a child, the shame invades you so much that you only want to die."
Grinberg's testimony is not only a personal account but also a broader condemnation of the societal norms that protect perpetrators while vilifying victims. "With sexual crimes, the guilty party is protected, while the victim is made to feel guilty. A sexual crime is something you never recover from," she said.
During her appearance on Quotidien, she poignantly remarked, "When a man has fun for a few minutes, the woman pays for it for her entire life. The consequences are indelible. These men instill a death in us that we must carry proudly to avoid being victims, so we spend our lives pretending, believing we are liberated women. These men are killers. It is a death that is not seen because we are still alive."
Grinberg's powerful words resonate with many who have suffered in silence, and her story is a clarion call for change. She has also expressed gratitude for the support she has received from her partner, Michel Broué, and psychologists who have helped her navigate her trauma. "I was crushed deep inside, and if it lived in me, I would no longer live. We are ruined by these men who laugh behind the wall of impunity," she said.
As Grinberg continues to share her story, she hopes to inspire others to speak out against sexual violence and challenge the culture of silence that has allowed such atrocities to persist. Her book, Respect, stands as a testament to her resilience and a powerful indictment of the societal structures that perpetuate violence against women.
In a world where many still remain silent, Anouk Grinberg's courageous revelations are a reminder that the fight against sexual violence is far from over. Her story is one of pain, but also of strength and the urgent need for societal change.
