**Adèle Haenel Challenges Director in Court Over Alleged Childhood Abuse**

**In a gripping courtroom confrontation, Haenel expresses her pain while seeking justice against filmmaker Christophe Ruggia for alleged sexual assault during her childhood.**

Adèle Haenel, the acclaimed French actress, who had taken a step back from the film industry last year, made headlines as she addressed her alleged abuser, director Christophe Ruggia, during his sexual assault trial. The 35-year-old Haenel, who has leveled serious accusations against the 59-year-old director, left the courtroom in a heated exchange, telling him to "shut up" amidst his defense claims of merely wanting to "protect" her during her rise to fame.

Ruggia is facing allegations from Haenel that he sexually molested her between the ages of 12 and 15 while he was in his late 30s. The prosecutor in the case is pushing for a two-year house arrest sentence for Ruggia, while he denies the charges, labeling them as “pure lies” and suggesting that Haenel’s actions stem from resentment for not being cast in subsequent projects after her role in his 2002 film, *Les Diables* (The Devils).

Haenel has previously described how Ruggia manipulated and controlled her, highlighting an absence of protection from the industry when she was "required to perform in the name of art." Her allegations detail a pattern of unwanted physical contact starting during the filming, which set the tone for a toxic dynamic that would persist.

Last year, Haenel made waves by publicly quitting acting, citing the pervasive culture of complacency towards sexual predators in the French film industry. Her coming forward was partly inspired by the documentary *Leaving Neverland*, which chronicled abuse by Michael Jackson. The emotional revelations in that documentary prompted her to reevaluate her own experiences, shedding light on the manipulation and abuse she endured.

During the trial, Ruggia attempted to explain his previous behavior, admitting to “errors” as he reflected on his admiring attitude towards Haenel, which he now claims may have been misinterpreted given her young age. Haenel, confronting a past that led her into deep depression, has sought justice not only for herself but to elevate awareness of the ongoing issue of abuse within the industry.

The prosecutor, Camille Poch, firmly asserted her belief in Haenel's testimony, arguing that Ruggia's defense lacked credibility. Haenel's assertiveness is a poignant chapter in France’s ongoing reckoning with sexual assault and the systemic failures within the entertainment industry, where other high-profile accusations, including those against actors like Gérard Depardieu and filmmakers Benoît Jacquot and Jacques Doillon, have also surfaced.

As the trial continues, Haenel's legal team is requesting €30,000 in compensation for moral damages and an additional €31,000 for psychological treatment expenses. A verdict in this crucial case is anticipated on 3 February, marking a significant moment not just for Haenel, but for countless others in similar positions seeking validation and justice.