Since this weekend on social networks, a novel has been at the heart of a lively controversy. On Instagram and TikTok, videos calling for the removal of Jessie Auryann’s work are multiplying. A petition has been launched and it already has more than 60,000 signatures. Baptized Body to heart claims to be “dark romance”, a genre which features “prohibited relationships” et “toxic” sometimes condemned by law or morality.
Body to heart, written follows the story of an erotic influencer with a troubled past who receives a plane ticket to French Polynesia as a gift. Mélina will fall under the spell of a certain Arkhan who refuses to succumb to his advances. “But Mélina always gets what she wants, Arkhan will discover, at her own risk, how far she is willing to go to get it”. It describes several scenes of sexual violence against children, some perpetrated by the main character Mélina and from an internal point of view.
A petition has 60,000 signatures
The petition launched on February 22 calls for its removal from sales platforms, including Amazon. We can read: “The work contains descriptions and staging which come into direct conflict with the French legislative framework”. The petition cites in particular article 227-23 of the Penal Code, which prohibits “to record or transmit the image or representation of a minor when this image is of a pornographic nature”.
Its creator explains to us that she wanted “alert about the flaws in the current broadcasting system so that it respects protective laws”. Kindle direct-publishing, after examining the work, finally made the decision to withdraw it from sale. A spokesperson says: “Amazon has strict content policies and we require that all books sold on Amazon comply with applicable regulations. We immediately investigate any reports and remove non-compliant books. Following our investigation, we will remove the title in question.”.
As a reminder, Kindle direct-publishing rules prohibit: “the sale of content that spreads hate speech, encourages the abuse or sexual exploitation of children, contains pornography, advocates rape or pedophilia and advocates terrorism, or any other content that we deem inappropriate or insulting”. The platform invites users to report content that could contravene these regulations via the section “report a problem”.
Pharos and the public prosecutor seized
The petition resonated not only with its signatories but also with LFI Deputy Antoine Léaument. He indicates on X that he has contacted Pharos and the public prosecutor. “In my view, this publication contravenes article 227-24 of the Penal Code.” It prohibits “manufacturing, transporting, disseminating by any means whatsoever and whatever the medium a message of a violent nature, inciting terrorism, pornographic, including pornographic images involving one or more animals, or of a nature to seriously harm human dignity or to incite minors to engage in games putting them in physical danger, or to trade in such a message, is punishable by three years’ imprisonment and a fine of 75,000 euros when this message is likely to be seen or perceived by a minor”.
The author, Jessie Auryann, did not respond to our requests. She made a clarification on her Instagram account. The latter is no longer accessible at the time of writing these lines. To find out more on the subject, you can consult our article published this morning.
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