A video shot on August 17, 2025 at the Feria de Dax 2025 shows a man lifting the skirt of Toulouse influencer Charline Pradeau while she dances on a table. The public prosecutor’s office has opened an investigation for "sexist outrage". On August 25, the young woman filed a complaint in Toulouse against an individual she identifies as Richard Dourthe. The identity of the perpetrator is not confirmed at this stage. This case revives the issue of prevention of violence in festive environments.
The facts and the investigation
The sequence, about fourteen seconds long, was published on TikTok and Instagram. It was quickly viewed millions of times. It shows Charline Pradeau standing on a table, a man in the background lifting the skirt of the young woman, who turns around and hits him. According to the complainant, she had obtained permission from a peña to dance on the table. The Dax prosecutor’s office announced on August 20–21 the opening of an investigation for sexist outrage.
On August 25, Charline Pradeau filed a complaint in Toulouse against an individual she identifies as Richard Dourthe, a former international rugby player and consultant. She indicates having received an apology message. Investigators have not publicly confirmed the identity of the perpetrator. The presumption of innocence applies. The Fêtes de Dax 2025 (Feria 2025 de Dax), organized from August 13 to 17 (Ville de Dax), gathered a dense crowd in the city center, a context that makes sexist or sexual offenses more likely.
Who is Charline Pradeau?
Charline Pradeau is a content creator based in Toulouse, active on TikTok and Instagram. Her accounts have a total of about 130,000 followers. She publishes short formats related to daily life and outings. After the broadcast of the images shot in Dax, she stated she no longer wants to speak publicly. Additionally, she says she receives hate messages on social networks.
The law: from "sexist outrage" to "sexual assault"
Sexist outrage punishes remarks or behaviors with a sexist or sexual connotation. These undermine a person’s dignity, or aim to hurt, intimidate, or humiliate. It is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to €1,500, increased to €3,750 in case of aggravation (Service-public.fr, Légifrance).
To distinguish: sexual assault, defined by article 222-22 of the Penal Code. It involves imposed contact characterized by violence, coercion, threat, or surprise. It is a misdemeanor or a crime in case of rape. This exposes to prison sentences and heavier fines according to article 222-22. In cases filmed and then broadcast online, the qualification depends on material elements such as the nature of the gesture. It also depends on the context in which these elements are observed. It also relies on the statements made as well as evidence gathered, including testimonies, videos, and messages. Here, the prosecutor’s office mentions sexist outrage, subject to investigations.
A documented phenomenon
In France, sexual violence mainly affects women, particularly those aged 18–24. The most recent public data estimates that about 230,000 adult women report sexual violence. However, only 6% of these women say they have filed a complaint for these acts during the year. The incidents recorded by the police and gendarmerie increased in 2024. This gap between experience and reporting remains a blind spot in public policies (sources: SSMSI/Interstats and Miprof – Arretons les violences).
What the Dax case reveals
The events in Dax first raise questions about prevention in festive environments. Who, among the organizers, peñas, the municipality, and the police, holds operational responsibility? The clarity of mechanisms (reporting, safe spaces, trained teams) and the ability to intervene quickly condition public trust.
They then raise the question of the role of witnesses. The smartphone facilitates evidence but can delay help. Recommendations from associations favor the protection reflex: intervening without violence if possible. Then, it is crucial to alert a reference person. Moreover, it is important to preserve the victim’s privacy before any recording.
The boundary between "sexist outrage" and "sexual assault" remains a point of tension: it depends on contact, consent, and context (surprise, coercion). Hence the importance of training police officers, gendarmes, and security personnel in the documentation of facts from the first minutes.
Finally, the digital dimension has become inseparable from these cases. After making the images public, the complainant says she received hate messages. The moderation of platforms, reporting mechanisms, and support are essential. They include legal and psychological support to prevent viral exposure from doubling the harm.
A legal framework in motion
In 2025, a bill aimed at clarifying the definition of rape and sexual assaults is being examined in Parliament. The Council of State has issued an opinion and the Senate is reviewing the text (Council of State opinion, Senate file). The objective: clarify the role of consent and better take into account situations of stupor or control. More explicit rules could secure the judicial paths of both victims and the accused.
To follow
The next steps will involve the hearings of the victim, witnesses, and people identified in the images. Then, there will be the verification of the apology message mentioned to ensure its validity. Finally, the criminal qualification may be retained or adjusted based on the elements collected. We will also observe the measures that the organizers of the festivities may take to strengthen prevention during future editions.
For more information
Need help? In case of emergency: 17 (Police emergency); 114 by SMS. 3919: anonymous and free listening number Violences Femmes Info. Police-gendarmerie chat accessible via Service-public.fr.