Women and men gathered in Paris and cities across France on Saturday to support Gisèle Pelicot’s fight against sexual abuse. A protest was organised in response to the trial of her ex-husband and dozens of other men accused of raping her for more than 10 years while she was drugged and unconscious.
Demonstrations were held outside Paris’ criminal court and in cities like Lyon highlighting Pelicot’s bravery in speaking out about her decade-long ordeal, which has shocked and outraged many.
Since the trial began on September 2, Pelicot has faced 51 alleged rapists. She has been widely praised for her composure and her decision to keep the trial public, despite the court’s initial suggestion to hold it behind closed doors.
Elsa Labouret, spokesperson for the women’s group “Osez le féminisme!” (Dare to be Feminist!), praised Pelicot’s choice to make the trial public, bringing attention to the violence that some women endure.
“Victims don’t have to do what she did,” Labouret said, “but what she decided to do is very, very important because now we cannot ignore the violence that some men can resort to,” she added.
Demonstrators carried placards reading, “Shame must change sides,” “Stop the denial,” “Not your punching ball” and “We are all Gisèle. Are you all Dominique?” They condemned what they see as leniency in the French justice system regarding sexual violence.
Dominique Pelicot admitted in court to drugging his wife for nearly a decade and allowing other men to rape her while she lay unconscious. He also confessed to raping her himself.
The defendants, aged 26 to 74, include many men who deny the charges, claiming they were misled by Dominique or believed Gisèle was consenting.
Supporters view Pelicot as a symbol of resilience and courage, with one protester, Khalil Ndiaye, saying, “She decided to fight, and she’s inspiring us to fight, too.”
