A woman holds a sign that reads ‘No more Gisèles raped, no more women raped in France’. Photograph: Manon Cruz/Reuters
Hundreds of people gathered on Saturday, October 5, 2024, in the small village of Mazan, France, to participate in a silent march in support of Gisèle Pelicot, a woman whose case has shocked the world. Pelicot’s husband, Dominique Pelicot, is accused of drugging her and inviting over 80 men to their home to assault her while she was unconscious. The case has captured global attention and sparked outrage about sexual violence.
The march was a powerful display of solidarity for Gisèle and other victims of sexual violence. Men and women from all walks of life walked quietly through the streets of the village, arms linked, holding flowers in a peaceful protest against the horrors inflicted on Gisèle. Though her family was not present at the march, they expressed deep gratitude for the overwhelming support from the community.
One woman at the march, speaking to reporters, said, “I’m here as a woman, a mother, and a grandmother. I’m here to support Gisèle, who has shown incredible bravery. This case should make people listen to women and open their eyes to the reality of sexual abuse.” Her words echoed the sentiment of many at the event, where the focus was not just on Gisèle but on the broader issue of sexual violence that often goes ignored or dismissed.
The trial of Dominique Pelicot, 71, began in Avignon, and it has already seen dramatic developments. On Friday, October 4, judges allowed the screening of videos showing the alleged abuse of Gisèle, despite their disturbing content. The court had initially considered clearing the room of non-participants because of the video’s graphic nature. However, Gisèle’s lawyers argued that she wanted the videos to be shown publicly to reveal the extent of the atrocities she suffered. The judges agreed, allowing the disturbing footage to be viewed by the press and public, which Gisèle’s legal team considers vital evidence.
Gisèle Pelicot has no memory of the rapes, as her husband allegedly drugged her to the point of unconsciousness. According to her lawyers, these videos are the key proof of what she endured. In the footage, Gisèle is seen in a state of unconsciousness while men, recruited online by her husband, assault her over a period of 10 years.
The defense presented by some of the accused men has raised eyebrows, with many claiming that they thought she was pretending to be asleep, and that her husband had given them consent to engage in the acts. Antoine Camus, one of Gisèle’s lawyers, challenged this defense, stating, “A perception is subjective, but these videos show what happened. This is not a case of carelessness; it is an opportunistic rape.” He emphasized that the footage clearly demonstrates a deliberate and premeditated crime.
The case has become a symbol of the broader issue of sexual violence and how society responds to it. Stéphane Babonneau, another of Gisèle’s lawyers, lamented that it was too late to undo the damage done to his client, stating, “Gisèle will have to live with the trauma of over 200 rapes. This court case only adds to her suffering.” However, he expressed hope that the public attention could prevent other women from facing the same horrors, believing that Gisèle’s courage in pushing for the public screening of the videos could lead to a broader societal change.
Dominique Pelicot’s arrest in 2020 came after a completely unrelated incident when he was caught by a security guard filming up the skirt of a woman in a supermarket. This discovery led police to search his home, where they found a USB drive containing over 20,000 images and videos of Gisèle’s abuse. These disturbing materials, taken over a decade, are the central pieces of evidence in the trial.
Gisèle Pelicot has since become a symbol of feminist anger in France, particularly in light of the country’s slow response to the #MeToo movement and its failure to address widespread sexual abuse. She credits the police with saving her life after they uncovered her husband’s crimes. Despite this, there are still around 30 men captured in the images and videos who have not yet been identified, raising concerns that the full scope of the abuse may never be known.
As the trial continues, Dominique Pelicot has pleaded guilty to aggravated rape, and the accused men face up to 20 years in prison if convicted. The trial is expected to continue until December, with more shocking details likely to emerge as the court proceedings unfold.
This case has sparked a national conversation about sexual violence in France, and many hope that the public outcry will lead to stronger laws and a more proactive approach to protecting victims of sexual assault. For Gisèle Pelicot, the trauma may never go away, but her courage has inspired countless others to stand up against violence and demand justice. The march in Mazan on Saturday was just one example of the powerful support she has received, but it is also a reminder that much work remains to be done.
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