Film director Roman Polanski accused of 'violently raping' French actress

Roman Polanski, convicted of raping a 13-year-old in 1977, has been accused by another woman. Photo / Getty Images

Oscar-winning movie director Roman Polanski has been accused of "violently raping" a French actress who feared being murdered by the director.

Valentine Monnier alleges she was 18 when Polanski raped her in a ski chalet in Gstaad, Switzerland, reports the Daily Mail.

A detailed victim statement, printed in French newspaper Le Parisien, reveals Monnier, now 62, feared for her life during the 1975 attack.

Valentine Monnier was a model and actress who has come forward after several decades to accuse Roman Polanski of rape. Photo / Cosmopolitan

Polanski is still wanted in the US after pleading guilty to raping a 13-year-old schoolgirl in 1977. He fled the country shortly afterward.

Famed for films "Rosemary's Baby", "Chinatown" and "The Pianist", the 86-year-old launched his new film "I accuse", which tells the story of a Jewish officer imprisoned on false evidence.

Monnier, now 62, believes Polanski has used the plot to mirror his own case from 1977.

"Is it tenable, under the pretext of a film, under the cover of history, to hear the person who has marked you for life to say 'I accuse', while preventing you – the victim – to accuse him?" Monnier is reported as saying.

She also described her alleged ordeal as a "traumatic memory" and called rape "a time bomb".

According to the Daily Mail, Monnier endured guilt for decades but was too afraid to go to authorities.

Polanski, who was married to Sharon Tate when she was murdered by members of Charles Manson's cult, has "firmly denies all accusations of rape," according to his lawyer.

In France, a 20-year statute of limitations means Polanski cannot be prosecuted for a crime that allegedly took place in 1975.

Where to go for help or more information:

• Women's Refuge: Free national crisisline operates 24/7 - 0800 REFUGE or 0800 733 843 www.womensrefuge.org.nz
• ShineFree national helpline 9am- 11pm every day - 0508 744 633 www.2shine.org.nz
• It's Not Ok: Information line 0800 456 450 www.areyouok.org.nz
• Shakti: Providing specialist cultural services for African, Asian and Middle Eastern women and their children. Crisisline 24/7 0800 742 584
• Ministry of Justice: www.justice.govt.nz/family-justice/domestic-violence
• National Network of Stopping Violence: www.nnsvs.org.nz
• White Ribbon: Aiming to eliminate men's violence towards women, focusing this year on sexual violence and the issue of consent.