'DSK victims are too scared to speak out'

Dominique Strauss-Kahn sexually abused women but they are "too afraid" to speak out, the French writer who accuses him of attempted rape said today.

Tristane Banon said that since bringing her legal action against the former IMF chief, she had been contacted by other women who say he attacked them.

Ms Banon, 32, said Strauss-Kahn behaved like a "rutting chimpanzee" when he allegedly assaulted her in 2003. The 63-year-old banker, recently freed from attempted rape charges in the US, is suing her for defamation.

She said today: "I have been contacted by other women, but they are afraid. They have seen what a nightmare my life has become and they don't want to suffer the same thing."