Pélicot in Court: It's Not the Victim Who Should Be Ashamed

Gisèle Pélicot was drugged and raped over a ten-year period. Her story has sent shockwaves across France and now she has reappeared in court. It's not us who should be ashamed, it's the perpetrators, she says.

» Published:

Pélicot in Court: It's Not the Victim Who Should Be Ashamed
Photo: Lewis Joly/AP/TT

Share this article

Gisèle Pélicot was met with applause from the audience when she arrived at the court in Avignon on Wednesday, which she has visited most trial days.

She testified in September about the crimes committed against her, but returned after the judge in the case asked her to convey her impression of the trial so far.

I am a woman who is completely broken, she said according to AFP, and added that her goal is to change society's view on sexual abuse and for victims to be able to come forward without feelings of guilt.

I want all women who have fallen victim to rape to be able to say "Mrs. Pélicot could, so I can too". It's not us who should be ashamed, it's the perpetrators.

Feminist Icon

Gisèle Pélicot became a feminist icon after calling for a public trial. She has also agreed to have her name and image published.

Her ex-husband, Dominique Pélicot, is accused of drugging his wife and letting men assault her for decades.

The evidence presented includes thousands of images and films showing how over 70 different men raped her – assaults that took place over a ten-year period. The defendants are between 25 and 75 years old – among them a former police officer, a municipal politician, and a journalist.

Trying to Understand

Dominique Pélicot has admitted to being a rapist and apologized in court. On Wednesday, he sat in the courtroom and listened to his former wife, without looking at her.

I'm trying to understand how my husband, who was the perfect man, could become like this, said Gisèle Pélicot.

For me, it's a betrayal of unimaginable proportions. After 50 years together. I used to think I would live with this man for the rest of my life.

She also said, according to Le Monde, that she has a long way to go to recover.

I don't know how I'll move on. I'm almost 72 years old and don't know if I'll live long enough to recover from this.

Martin Yngve/TT

Facts: The Rape Case That Shakes France

TT

The trial against 71-year-old Dominique Pélicot and 50 other men in Avignon, France, began on September 2 and is expected to last for nearly four months.

The men are all accused of assaulting Gisèle Pélicot, 72. Several of the defendants risk 20 years in prison for aggravated rape.

Before the assaults, Dominique Pélicot drugged his wife to the point where she was almost unconscious, according to the prosecution. She therefore did not know what was happening until it was discovered in 2020.

The evidence consists of tens of thousands of images and films showing how at least 70 different men raped Pélicot – assaults that took place over a ten-year period. The defendants are between 25 and 75 years old, among them a former police officer, a municipal politician, and a journalist. Many have families and children, according to French media.

The trial is open to the public at the request of Gisèle Pélicot, who has also agreed to have her name and image published.

The evidence also includes intimate images of the Pélicot's daughter and two step-daughters, taken without their knowledge.

Tags

Author

TTT
By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

More news

EU Proposes Sanctions on Israel's Extremist Ministers and Trade

EU Proposes Sanctions on Israel's Extremist Ministers and Trade

Denmark to Invest in Long-Range Precision Weapons for Defense Strategy

Denmark to Invest in Long-Range Precision Weapons for Defense Strategy

Suspected Shooter's Texts Reveal Concerns Over Weapon and Father

Suspected Shooter's Texts Reveal Concerns Over Weapon and Father

New Nuclear Energy Discussions with Iran Begin

New Nuclear Energy Discussions with Iran Begin

EU Delays Climate Goals Submission Amid Member Disagreements

EU Delays Climate Goals Submission Amid Member Disagreements

Aleksey Navalny Poisoned, Widow Claims Based on New Tests

Aleksey Navalny Poisoned, Widow Claims Based on New Tests

1,600 Tourists Evacuated from Machu Picchu Amid Protests

1,600 Tourists Evacuated from Machu Picchu Amid Protests

Main Suspect in Madeleine McCann Case Released from Prison

Main Suspect in Madeleine McCann Case Released from Prison

Ukraine Reports Over 130,000 Russian Soldiers Killed in War

Ukraine Reports Over 130,000 Russian Soldiers Killed in War

Trump Receives Royal Welcome from King Charles at Windsor Castle

Trump Receives Royal Welcome from King Charles at Windsor Castle

New Escape Route Opens for Fleeing Gaza City Residents Amid Bombing

New Escape Route Opens for Fleeing Gaza City Residents Amid Bombing

Iran Executes Man Accused of Spying for Israel After Zelenskyj Letter

Iran Executes Man Accused of Spying for Israel After Zelenskyj Letter

NATO Needs Stronger Response to Russian Drone Threat, Expert Warns

NATO Needs Stronger Response to Russian Drone Threat, Expert Warns

Guterres Proposes 15% Cut to UN Budget for 2026

Guterres Proposes 15% Cut to UN Budget for 2026

Bolsonaro Hospitalized in Brasília for Severe Hiccups and Vomiting

Bolsonaro Hospitalized in Brasília for Severe Hiccups and Vomiting

Four Arrested for Projecting Trump and Epstein Images on Windsor Castle

Four Arrested for Projecting Trump and Epstein Images on Windsor Castle

Aid Groups Urge Global Intervention in Gaza Crisis

Aid Groups Urge Global Intervention in Gaza Crisis

Spain Records Deadliest Heatwave Amid Hottest Summer on Record

Spain Records Deadliest Heatwave Amid Hottest Summer on Record

UNICEF: 26000 Children in Gaza Suffer Acute Malnutrition

UNICEF: 26000 Children in Gaza Suffer Acute Malnutrition

Putin Observes Zapad Military Exercise with 100,000 Troops

Putin Observes Zapad Military Exercise with 100,000 Troops