Who is Gisele Pelicot? (image: x.com/RevRichardColes)
As the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women fell on November 25, Gisele Pelicot graces the cover of VOGUE Germany.
image credit: x.com/YSLstandards
Who is Gisele Pelicot?
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Gisele Pelicot, 72, is a survivor of a mass rape orchestrated by her husband, Dominique Pelicot, over a decade. Dominique drugged and raped his wife and recruited dozens of strangers to rape and abuse her. Apart from Pelicot’s former husband, there are 50 other men on trial. One of the shocking trials in France, the court is planning to announce its verdict and sentences before December 20.
The case also points to the question of consent, the change needed in social attitude towards consent, the use drugs to initiate sexual abuse, and also the less discussed topic—sexual abuse in domestic space.
Gisele and Dominique were married for nearly 50 years. She realised about the abuse just four years ago when police came across videos and pictures her husband recorded of the abuse he arranged.
Dominique admitted that he routinely drugged his wife with a strong sedative, which is mixed into her food and drink. He said he obtained a total of 700 pills of the drug called Temesta, a tranquillizer that is usually prescribed as anti-anxiety medicine and for sleep problems.
In the court, defence lawyers accused her of being complicit in the abuse, though she clearly knew nothing. “For years, she tried to understand what was wrong with her, she had pains in her lower abdomen, vaginal discharge, haemorrhoids, and so on. No analysis was able to determine the cause,” the prosecutor told the court.
Gisele became a symbol of the struggle against sexual violence and abuse. She became a feminist icon in France when he decided to waive her right to anonymity, which victims of sexual offences in the country are granted.
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According to French law, Pelicot could suggest the trial be held behind closed doors. But she proceeded with a public trial because she hoped it would help other women to speak up and show that victims have nothing to be shameful about. “It is time for society to look at this macho, patriarchal society and change the way it looks at rape,” she said in the court.
Massive protests were held nationwide in support of Gisele, and people were raising placards with the slogan, “Shame must switch sides,” citing a quote made during court proceedings. The prosecutors and protestors are demanding a 20-year jail term for Dominique Pelicot.
