Andrée Viollis
Tueurs de femmes
"Tueurs de femmes by Andrée Viollis" is an investigative journalistic essay written in the early 20th century. The piece, published in a periodical, examines the broader societal structures that contribute to the suffering and marginalization of women. It challenges the public condemnation of a notorious murderer, Vidal, by shifting focus onto the everyday, often unnoticed, violence and exploitation women endure at the hands of employers, lovers, husbands, and various social authorities. The essay raises provocative questions about justice, gender roles, and societal hypocrisy. The content centers on the case of Vidal, known as a "woman-killer," whose crimes sparked public outrage and a call for his execution. However, Andrée Viollis argues that society is filled with other, equally culpable "killers of women"—those who exploit female labor, abandon or betray women, enforce repressive sexual and social norms, and perpetrate systemic injustices. Through a passionate critique, Viollis highlights how these everyday wrongs, committed with impunity, collectively lead to far greater suffering and loss than the actions of one individual criminal. The essay ultimately calls for reflection on society’s complicity and advocates for empathy and systemic change rather than mere punishment.