Gisele Pelicot, a 72-year-old French woman, has become an unlikely feminist hero after bravely standing up to her abusers in court. For three and a half months, she has endured graphic hearings, including video evidence, as part of the trial against her ex-husband and 50 other men accused of raping her while she was unconscious.
Pelicot’s insistence on making the trial public to raise awareness about the dangers of the drug used on her has won international acclaim. Her courage in refusing to be shamed has inspired a nation and sparked art and protests across France. Pelicot shed her dark sunglasses, revealing her face to the world, as she delivered powerful statements in court.
“I wanted all women who are rape victims to say to themselves: ‘Mrs Pelicot did it, so we can do it too,'” she said. “It’s not us who should feel shame, but them.” Her message has resonated globally, earning her a spot on the BBC’s 100 Women list for 2024.
The trial, which is set to conclude by the end of next week, has seen several defendants admit to rape and others remain at large. Pelicot’s case highlights the need for change in society’s attitude towards rape and the importance of accountability for perpetrators.
Pelicot’s journey began with a disturbing discovery: her husband had been filming up women’s skirts in a supermarket. This revelation explained her past memory lapses, which she had attributed to her troubled past. With courage and determination, Pelicot has turned her experiences into a beacon of hope for survivors and a call to action for society to shift its attitude towards rape.
Source: https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20241212-gisele-pelicot-france-rape-survivor-who-became-a-feminist-hero