French government publications, official legal documents

French Woman, 72, Testifies Against Ex-Husband and 50 Others in Mass Rape Trial

Oct 23, 2024, 03:27 PM

Gisèle Pelicot, a 72-year-old French woman, has taken the stand in Avignon during the mass rape trial of her ex-husband, Dominique Pelicot, and 50 other men. Her ex-husband admitted to drugging her and orchestrating her rape by dozens of strangers over several years, possibly as revenge for her affair. Addressing him directly in court, she spoke of his "immeasurable betrayal," saying, "I always wanted to pull you up, toward the light. You have chosen the depths of the human soul." The trial, held publicly at her request, has drawn significant attention and may lead to changes in French rape laws to explicitly include consent. In her testimony, she declared, "It's not for us to have shame—it's for them," encouraging other survivors to come forward. She expressed that she is "a woman who is totally destroyed" but hopes her case will help other women and bring societal change. The case has ignited discussions about rape culture in France and challenged current legislation on sexual violence.