Little by little, speech is freed up in all circles, even those that seem the most muted, to denounce sexist and sexual violence. Latest evidence: the open letter published Thursday by 14 French chess players on X, the new name of Twitter. “We female chess players, coaches, arbiters and managers have experienced gender-based or sexual violence, whether verbal, written or physical, perpetrated by female chess players, coaches, arbiters or managers,” the document explains.
“We are convinced that this harassment and these attacks are still today one of the main reasons for the cessation of the game of chess by women and young girls, in particular in adolescence”, adds the letter. “Faced with this violence, we have been silent for too long. However, to be silent amounts to carrying the weight of shame alone”, continue the 14 signatories, encouraging “all the players to denounce the violence suffered”.
The Federation supports the players
The French Chess Federation (FFE) has shown its support for the approach, to “get out of solitary courses, which deter speaking”, according to its vice-president, Jean-Baptiste Mullon. “We will always stand with the victims,” he told AFP on Friday. “Free speech is a very good thing, but you have to be able to welcome it,” continued the leader, referring to the work carried out by the federation since 2021, with a simplification of reporting procedures and financial support for victims. through federal insurance.
Besides the collaboration with the Signal-sports unit of the Ministry of Sports, the FFE signed a partnership in June 2022 with the association Colosse aux pieds d’argile, specializing in the fight against sexual violence in the sports world. “All our support for this courageous speech! Let it be heard and followed by action. We will work in this direction with the FFE”, reacted on “X” the association, created in 2013 by the former rugby player Sébastien Boueilh.