Time For Society To Change Attitude On Rape: Gisele Pelicot In Court (X image@David_Challen)

Gisele Pelicot, the woman who turned the tables for the sexual assault victims on Tuesday said it was time for a “macho” society to change its attitude on rape, as she gave her final statement in court.

“It’s time that the macho, patriarchal society that trivialises rape changes,” said Gisele Pelicot, whose ex-husband and dozens of other men are on trial in France accused of raping her while she was heavily drugged. “It’s time we changed the way we look at rape”.

Since early September her ex-husband Dominique Pelicot has been in the trial in the southern city of Avignon along with 49 other men. The trial entered its final stages this week, with Gisele and Dominique Pelicot addressing the court before prosecutors are set to give their closing arguments and make their sentencing demands for the defendants.

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Earlier Tuesday, the court heard the final defendant. Gisele, 71, said the hearings were the trial of “cowardice”. “I’ve seen people take the stand who deny rape, and some who admit it,” she said.

“I want to say to these men: at what point did Mrs Pelicot give you her consent when you entered the room? At what point do you become aware of this inert body? At what point do you not report it to the police?”, she asked.

Earlier, Dominique Pelicot has admitted all charges against him in his first testimony since the trial started on September 2. “I am a rapist”, he said.

Also Read: French Prosecutors Call For Gerard Depardieu To Stand Trial On Rape Allegations

Pelicot said he is a rapist and is the same as the others in the room who took part in crime. “I am a rapist like the others in this room. They all knew, they cannot say the contrary,” he said. Speaking of his ex-wife, Gisele Pelicot, he said, “She did not deserve this. I was very happy with her”.