Content warning: This article contains references to rape and sexual violence.
It’s a story that’s captured the world’s attention and made French woman Gisèle Pelicot a household name.
This week, the 72-year-old mass rape survivor made her closing trial statements, calling for a change in France’s “macho” society.
Her ex-husband has admitted to inviting dozens of strangers to their house to rape Pelicot after he had drugged her, which happened numerous times over a decade.
Most of the 50 other men on trial have denied the rape charges of which they stand accused.
Pelicot waived her right to anonymity during the trial, saying she wanted to help other victims of sexual violence.
In doing so, she has been hailed as a feminist hero and sparked a wave of support around the world.
Her case may even lead to legislative change in France.
Pelicot’s final trial statements
Pelicot spoke on Tuesday for the closing statements of the trial. It is the third time she has addressed the court, with verdicts and sentences expected to be made in late December.
“For me, this is the trial of cowardice, there is no other way to describe it,” she said.
“When you walk into a bedroom and see a motionless body, at what point (do you decide) not to react,” she said, in an address to the accused, many of whom were in the courtroom.
“Why did you not leave immediately to report it to the police?”
A demonstration in support of Gisèle Pelicot and all victims of rape was held in Bordeaux, France, on 14 September 2024. Source: AAP / Pierrot Patrice / ABACA / PA
Pelicot only learnt of the abuse four years ago — after police found videos and pictures her husband recorded of the abuse he orchestrated and carried out.
These videos, some of which have been shown in court, show Pelicot motionless, sometimes snoring, while some of the accused abused her.
Many of the accused have told the court they did not realise they were raping her, did not intend to rape her or put all the blame on her husband, whom they said had manipulated them.
None of those accused ever alerted the police and only 14 have admitted the charges of aggravated rape, for which most of them face up to 20 years imprisonment if convicted.
The 35 others deny having raped Pelicot and maintain that they thought they were taking part in sex games.
Changing the conversation
In France, victim-survivors of rape have the right to anonymity at court but Pelicot waived this right and requested an open trial.
In explaining her decision, she has said she hopes “all women who are victims of rape can say to themselves: ‘Madame Pelicot did it, so we can do it.'”
“I don’t want them to feel ashamed anymore. It’s not for us to feel shame — it’s for them (abusers),” she said.
“Above all, I’m expressing my will and determination to change this society.”
“It is time for society to look at this macho, patriarchal society and change the way it looks at rape.”
In France, many have marched in support of her and gathered outside dozens of courts to denounce a culture they say is permissive of rape.
Murals of her face, emblazoned with messages of solidarity, have been painted across France.
Other murals have been painted on walls near the Abignon courthouse where the trial has been taking place. On reads: “Gisele, women thank you.”
A Gisele Pelicot mural created by Maca_dessine in Gentilly, south of Paris. The sentence reads: “So that shame changes sides”. Source: AAP / Geoffrey Van Der Hasselt / AFP
Other local women gathered in front of the courthouse to applaud Pelicot as she walked in and out of the courtroom.
Hundreds of other women marched in her hometown of Mazan, where she was subject to the abuse.
Marches have also taken place outside of France and Pelicot’s words have been shared across social media platforms.
She’s also made a personal link with Australians.
This month, Pelicot attended a hearing . Her lawyer said she was “very touched to receive the scarf and see that on the issue of violence against women, even in Australia on the other side of the world, women feel the same way”.
Some people hope the Pelicot case will lead to changes in controversial sexual consent laws in France, which do not currently include consent in its rape laws.
“I believe it is beyond understanding for our fellow citizens to refuse to include consent in the definition of rape,” France’s justice minister Didier Migaud told politicians in October.
French criminal law defines rape as a penetrative act or oral sex act committed on someone using “violence, coercion, threat or surprise”.
It does not clearly mention the need for a partner’s consent.
With additional reporting by Australian Associated Press and Agence France-Presse
