The Silence of Others

• This horrific attack led to a legal case that would grip Spain and bring about changes in national laws relating to gender-based violence.
• “Lucía” was raped by a group of young men who had travelled from Seville to the festival.
• But many women looking on regarded the verdict with fury, horrified that Spain’s legal system was seen to be enabling gender violence.
• The five gang members were convicted of rape and their sentences increased from nine to 15 years.

Fighting the wolf pack

• The young woman’s legal team stated that she submitted to the attack as she was paralysed by fear, while the men’s defence lawyer, parts of the media, and supporters of the wolf pack accused her of lying and being manipulative.
• For this reason, the documentary makes the revelation of the truth its central mission.

A search for the truth

• The film is a mosaic that takes a multimedia approach to ascertain the truth.
• Most importantly, it is anchored through the voice of the victim herself, “Lucía”, whose name has been changed and whose words are narrated by an actress.

The power of protest

• As with the protests against rape culture in Chile by feminist collective LasTesis, these protests went viral and global.
• A follow-up hashtag #Cuéntalo (Tell your story) also went viral, allowing women across the country to share experiences of sexual assault.
• Thank you for not abandoning me, for believing me, sisters … No one should have to go through this.
• Thank you for not abandoning me, for believing me, sisters … No one should have to go through this.

The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.