A new documentary on the French public channel Arte follows the life and activism of incest survivor Steffy Alexandrian.
The film, titled "Inceste, le combat d’une vie," examines the systemic failures of institutions to protect children and the societal denial that often surrounds the testimony of survivors.
Alexandrian first denounced the abuse she suffered at 13 years old [1]. The documentary traces her path from that initial disclosure to her current role as an activist for victims' rights. Her journey includes a period of public visibility that began when she posted a video on social media at 24 years old in 2021 [1].
Now 26 years old [1], Alexandrian uses her platform to expose how institutional gaps allow abuse to persist and to promote the right of survivors to speak their truth. The film highlights the psychological toll of these experiences and the resilience required to seek justice.
"Je me sentais dépérir, mais j'ai été forte," Alexandrian said [2].
The production is available for streaming via Arte.tv and will remain accessible until March 14, 2028 [1]. By centering the narrative on a single survivor's trajectory, the film aims to break the silence surrounding incest and challenge the denial that victims often face from authorities, and family members.
“"Je me sentais dépérir, mais j'ai été forte,"”
The documentary serves as a critique of the French legal and social systems' handling of intra-familial abuse. By documenting Alexandrian's transition from a child victim to an adult advocate, the film emphasizes that survivor testimony is a critical tool for identifying institutional negligence and pushing for policy reforms in child protection.
