ZOOPHILIA A REAL PRACTICE TO PUNISH

It is a "good of a mass phenomenon", reveals an investigation by the association Animal Cross, which denounces, in addition to the "unacceptable abuse" that this "sexual deviance" makes animals bear, "an attack serious with human dignity ”and a public health problem.

A study published under a shock title "Animals, new sex toys" is based in particular on the thesis of a young veterinary doctor, Marjolaine Baron:

"Zoophilia in society: what role can the veterinarian play in its repression? "

Internet a sound box for zoophilia

It is on the Internet that zoophilia finds a sound box without a filter. "The Internet is the antechamber of a sort of gigantic mess in which animals are the sexual victims", denounces Benoît Thomé.

This practice has grown considerably with the Internet and digital media.

The association thus estimates 1.6 million the number of visits by French Internet users recorded, each month, on specialized sites broadcasting zoophile videos - this figure did not take into account the traffic of the numerous "generalist" pornographic tubes. who also offer this theme.

“In a few seconds, one or two keywords on the search engines are enough to access these sites for free; most do not even bother to verify that the user is over 18 years old, ”deplores the Animal Cross survey. "There is therefore a massive voyeurism of people consuming zoo-pornography", deduces its author, who estimates the number of French zoophilia enthusiasts at 150,000.

It is difficult, however, to know how many are taking action in the absence of reliable scientific data, official surveys on the sexuality of the French refraining from tackling this scabrous subject. According to Animal Cross analyzes, “around 10,000” is the size of this active community. A number that would only grow with forums and digital formats. "Zoophilia is often presented as the new sexual experience to be discovered," notes the report. We are far from some received ideas. This practice does not only concern the farmhand or isolated persons in a situation of sexual misery. “The lack of better is a minority motivation; for most zoophiles, this is a deliberate choice, "said Benoît Thomé, president of the association. Zoophiles are often young and male.

The president of Animal Cross establishes a kind of cartography, from "passive voyeurists", consumers of videos, to "zoo-sadists", who practice torture on their prey, sometimes until its killing; between the two, graduated practices ranging from caress to full sexual intercourse.

Multiple consequences on animals

The consequences for animals are manifold. Marjolaine Baron, veterinary doctor, who has devoted a thesis to zoophilia, states: "The lesions are essentially physical and anatomical, on the anal or vaginal parts," explains the practitioner. But we can also have fibroated ears, because these parts sometimes serve as handles, or even bruises, because the animal struggles. The acts are sometimes accompanied by zoosadism with the will to torture the animal, and for certain species, the anatomical incompatibilities involve the death of the animal. “We also have a lot of cases where there is no injury. This makes the diagnosis difficult to make, "continues Marjolaine Baron,

Health risks

"In addition to the suffering it causes, zoophilia constitutes a serious health problem, for the risks of venereal diseases that they run to humans". A Brazilian study shows that 45% of people with penile cancer admitted having had at least one sexual intercourse with an animal. The report highlights a "significant prevalence" of sexually transmitted diseases, among zoophiles, and therefore "a public health concern".

“Another risk pointed out by the association: that of deviance. “A paraphilia rarely declares itself. […] Zoophilia, acts of bestiality predispose individuals to interhuman violence. […] They must be used as alarm bells to prevent harmful behavior, in particular pedophilia. Veterinarians have an important role in these interventions, ”reads the report.

Strengthen legislation

"Our goal is not to set ourselves up as a morality police force, but to concern ourselves with animals victims of sexual assault, unable to say no", specifies Benoît Thomé, president of Animal Cross and editor of the report .

In his conclusions, the author points to the legal void that would surround the dissemination of zoophilia on the Internet and calls for strengthening existing legislation against zoophiles, as we have seen recently in Germany.

Too many cases are still the subject of a classification without follow-up, for lack of proof or of opportunity. The practice takes place out of sight, reports are few, and when they are, evidence is difficult to provide.

Article 521-1 of the Penal Code punishes with two years of imprisonment the fact of exercising serious or sexual abuse, or committing an act of cruelty to an animal.

"We believe that in the long term animals should benefit from the same legal protection as minors," concludes the president of Animal Cross, referring to the "non-consent by nature" of the animal.