This article recounts the story of Gisèle Pelicot, whose courage in bringing a mass rape case against her ex-husband to light has redefined what it means to be a victim.
As the notorious rape case closes, Kim Willsher reports from the court on the inspirational woman who has redefined what it is to be a victim. As I shake Gisèle Pelicot’s hand after a gruesome day at the Avignon mass rape trial, she asks me, ‘How are you doing?’, with a sympathetic smile. On 19 December, Gisèle walked out of the courthouse for the last time to cheers and shouts of ‘Merci’. Her exit marked the end of France’s most horrific sex trial.
Just minutes earlier, her ex-husband, Dominique Pelicot, was jailed for the maximum 20 years for drugging her and inviting strangers into their marital home to rape and abuse her. He was also found guilty of taking indecent images of his own daughter, Caroline. All of the other 50 co-defendants on trial have been found guilty of either rape, attempted rape, or sexual assault and sentenced to between three and 15 years, some with suspended sentences. Gisèle spoke outside court, telling the waiting crowds she never regretted her decision to go public with the case. She said that she was thinking of her three children and her grandchildren. 'Because they are the future, it is also for them that I took on this battle.' She continued: 'I’m also thinking of the many victims who are not recognised, whose stories often remain in the shadows. I want you to know that we share the same battle.' Each day, Gisèle, a petite and elegant 73-year-old grandmother, has arrived at the courthouse impeccably dressed and walked in head held high. Day after day she sat facing her ex-husband across the courtroom as we saw and heard what must be some of the most depraved evidence presented in a court. She has listened to the appalling details of how her ‘caring, attentive, perfect’ partner of 50 years not only betrayed and defiled her, but invited the men in the dock with him to do the same. We would surreptitiously glance at her – pained and deeply aggrieved on her behalf – as the videos Dominique made of the abuse were screene
Law Social Issues RAPE VICTIMS COURAGE JUSTICE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
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