Gisele Pelicot, the French woman at the center of a shocking rape trial involving her ex-husband and over 50 other men, has addressed the court for the second time, delivering a powerful message of hope and resilience to other victims of sexual assault, Al Jazeera reports.
Pelicot, 71, spoke at the invitation of the presiding judge, Roger Arata, on Wednesday.
“I wanted all women who are rape victims to say to themselves ‘Mrs Pelicot did it, so we can do it too’,” she declared, urging other victims to come forward. “It’s not us who should feel shame, but them [the perpetrators],” she emphasized, referring to her unwavering decision to have the trial open to the public.
Pelicot’s courageous stance has transformed her into a feminist icon in France since the trial began last month. The case, which has sparked widespread horror and protests, is shedding light on the disturbing reality of male violence and rape culture within French society.
The unprecedented trial is uncovering the dark underbelly of pornography, chatrooms, and a disturbing lack of understanding surrounding consent. It has revealed how these factors contribute to the normalization of rape and violence against women.
Dominique Pelicot, Gisele’s former husband, has confessed to drugging her and inviting men to rape her on numerous occasions between 2011 and 2020. He even meticulously documented the strangers who visited their home, aiding police in their investigation.
