The Wolfpack trial was a turning point in Spain, it could be another case but it was this one. History demanded it.
By Ángela Rodríguez
When María Hervás (from the acclaimed film ‘Madrid, 1987’) received the call from the renowned Spanish theater director Miguel del Arco to be part of his next play, she was extremely excited. The play that del Arco had in mind was “Jauría”, a theatrical rendition of the “Wolfpack” trial, and he wanted María to play the main character: the victim.
Spain’s notorious “Wolfpack” trial (2016) galvanised the Spanish feminist movement, inspiring widespread anger and protests against sexual assault legislation and surrounding the definition of rape under Spanish law. The case began with the gang rape of an 18-year-old woman, during the San Fermín festival celebrations in Pamplona, Spain. Five men, including a member of the Civil Guard and another of the Spanish Army, filmed themselves as they took it in turns to repeatedly penetrate her orally, vaginally and anally.
After the initial overwhelming feeling of working with del Arco in “Jauría”, María was afraid of judging people whose trial was ongoing and who had not yet been condemned by the Spanish Justice. This feeling vanished when she started rehearsing and began to understand that “Jauría” was not so much about judgement, rather a direct interpellation with spectators in order to lead them to the center of “the epidemic of abuses and inequality inherited from the patriarchy” and to make them ask themself the question: “What can we do to change this sick society?”.
Was “The Wolfpack” trial a turning point in Spain in the fight against gender-based violence?
Absolutely. A powerful social movement has emerged from it. It could have been another case but it was this one. We will never know why, but history demanded it.
As a Spanish citizen and as a woman, has “The Wolfpack” case influenced you to play the role of the victim?
I followed the trial but not closely. It was when I started working on the play that I began to pay more detailed attention to the case.
From the very beginning, I have never thought she was guilty. It didn’t matter from which angle I looked at it because it has always seemed to me an act of terrosrism committed against humanity. However, I was also raised in a heteropatriarchal structure, so typical questions came to my mind: “How did you not see it coming?” and “Why were you more careful?” Thanks to “Jauría”, I now understand that questions like these justify and perpetuate violence against women, by doubting and questioning our freedom. I have healed a lot with “Jauría” and my male friends too! But there still remains a long way to go.
How has this role affected you psychologically?
Crying everyday for over one hour and a half is exhausting and it has its consequences. The crying is the outcome of centuries of ancestral violence that is comprehended in a text, in this particular case in “The Wolfpack” trial, which encompasses a much deeper evil about the history of the human race. I think that when you are more aware of the reasons that make you go on the stage, the more you heal your own wounds. However, at the same time, your personal system is subjected to an extraordinary state of hypersensibility that can leave an indelible mark on you.
Has “Jauría” changed your opinion of the way in which rape cases are prosecuted?
The legal system was made by men for men. In the same way that we all should do a personal review in order to find the sexist zones built into our minds and consequently dismantle them, institutions too should do this. They should run an internal test: on themself as an institution and on their citizens.
“Jauría” is based on the exact courtroom transcription of “The Wolfpack” trial. Having played the role of the victim in the play, do you think that the Spanish Justice system has correctly addressed both the victim and the perpetrators? Or have they failed to do so?
I cannot answer something like that. I believe that the justice system has done great things. The slogan: “I believe you” (Yo sí te creo) was very controversial back then, as it was used to back up the first sentence, which was in favour of the victim. I mean, they believed her. Ultimately, it came down to the fine print of the law: as the men had not used violence to coerce the woman into the act, the crime could not technically be categorised as sexual assault. The problem was legislative. The current Minister for Equality, Irene Montero, is working hard to resolve this loophole.
I think that the procedure followed up until now has been unacceptable: making the victims of sexual and gender based violence to go through never-ending trials, repeating once and again the most painful and traumatic experience of their life. However, a solution does exist, in the form of the so-called Gessel camera, which allows the victim to provide their testimony by means of a video. This serves to protect the victim. They are more expensive than the conventional process, so our Nation-State allocates its budget to other matters, such as propping up the banks.
After the experience of putting yourself in the shoes of the victim in “Jauría”, what changes would you like to see within the justice system?
To begin with, I would like to see the continued use of the Gesell Camera, with the parity of members in the judiciary system, as well as mandatory elementary education in Gender Studies for young men and women entering the legal profession. Certainly, we and society as a whole have a lot to learn from it but the justice system must lead the way.
And to society?
Go deep inside yourself and be socially engaged. I mean, my arguments would mean nothing if I did not treat them as part of my inner self. If I see a woman being abused, or contemptuous behaviour used to refer to another woman and I do nothing, I too am part of that heteropatriarchal violence as I give in to the system.
Let’s talk about the media: how have they covered “The Wolfpack” case and how have they influenced society’s opinion?
I have tried to not be overinformed, as it was obviously the perfect case for the yellow press to sensationalise. I am surprised how violently we judge others, even though in some cases such as this they deserve condemnation. What has always surprised me is the rage, the fangs. The manipulation of “the other” is the media’s specialization. They are dangerous because later you see people repeating the same words like parrots not even knowing what they mean. The lack of the freedom of thinking is extremely dangerous.
As a result of your role in “Jauría”, you have received many messages from young girls and women explaining to you their stories as victims of sexual and gender based violence. Why do you think that they prefer to tell you rather than filing a lawsuit?
Institutions are scary, even the ones that were designed to protect citizens. They are first there to protect the Nation-State, a violent organism that punishes with violence. We are all aware of this, whether it be consciously or unconsciously, and that is why we do not trust the institutions so much, we prefer to confide in individuals.
You have recently met with the victim of “The Wolfpack”, how did that encounter make you feel?
I don’t talk about her. I have an immense soft spot for her.
