“I was the victim of chemical submission”: how Olivia Ruiz managed to escape two sexual assault attempts

Olivia Ruiz releases a new album on Friday. MAXPPP – Alexandre MARCHI

As the Audoise singer prepares to release her new album on March 1, 2024, she looks back on the difficulties encountered as a woman during her career. Among them, two attempted sexual assaults. Today, she supports an association that fights against chemical submission. 

The world of music can be merciless for women, like other sectors as recent scandals show. Olivia Ruiz's artistic career was built on a body of work honoring strength, freedom, sharing and her roots. In more than twenty years, the singer has graced numerous stages, including the most prestigious such as the Victoires de la Musique.

But behind the scenes, the underbelly of these tours was sometimes much darker. Sunday, she revealed in La Tribunehaving been the victim of two attempted sexual assaults, including one by "chemical submission". Today, she tells us more and talks about his fight against a scourge "much more widespread than we think".&nbsp ;

Two attempted sexual assaults

Less than ten years ago, the singer suffered chemical submission from one of her collaborators : "A person in my professional circle turned out to be someone who was attempting sexual assault and a lot of things suggest that it was with the use of chemistry. Although knocked out by a substance, Olivia Ruiz was able to defend herself. 

Years earlier, the Aude artist had been attacked by an orchestra conductor with whom she worked. A courageous man had rescued him from this situation. Finally, concluded the singer, "I'was very lucky" that these episodes stopped' to the "attempt" of sexual assault. 

A real scourge

The opportunity for the artist to remind us that chemical submission is a scourge " much more widespread than we think". For two years, she has supported the association M'endors pas, which fights against chemical submission. It was Caroline Darian, author of a book which tells how her mother was a victim for years without her knowledge, who creates the structure. 

Also read: In Sète, Olivia Ruiz stirred up anger and unsaid things with her beautiful show "Bouches cousues"

"I believe that we really need to raise awareness on this subject, by informing we will be able to alert about the need for vigilance, and therefore possibly avoid some additional cases", more, "with this MP story" (l' elected Sandrine Josso had been drugged by a senator), "it’has become something that is part of the hot news".& nbsp;

Olivia Ruiz encourages people to learn about the subject, and to remain vigilant. While her new album, La Réplique, will be released on Friday March 1st, she emphasizes the need, especially for women, to show themselves strong and united.