Protests say ‘shame must change sides’ in Gisele Pelicot case

International

Gisele Pelicot has become a symbol against sexual violence and assault

Protests have erupted in France in reaction to the case (Picture: Jeanne Menjoulet)

Thousands of people across France are rising up against sexual violence as a horrifying rape case goes through the courts. Dominique Pelicot drugged his wife Gisele to the point of unconsciousness, invited dozens of men into the family home and filmed the rapes.

Police found footage of his crimes, while they were searching for evidence related to Pelicot videoing up women’s skirts in a supermarket. They found some 20,000 photos and videos of the attacks, taken over a decade.

He is in court with 50 other men, who are all charged with “aggravated rape” in a trial due to last until December. Police failed to identify more than 30 other men who were recorded.

“I was sacrificed on the alter of vice,” Gisele told the court earlier this month. “They regarded me like a rag doll, like a garbage bag… I no longer have an identity. I don’t know if I’ll ever rebuild myself.”

Gisele has chosen to waive her right to hold the trial behind closed doors and her right to anonymity. She said she was testifying “for all women” who had been assaulted while drugged and to ensure “no women suffers this”.

In doing so, she has become a symbol against the violence, abuse and harassment that is a daily reality for many women. Protesters took to the streets in 30 French cities last Saturday, to show support for Gisele and to raise wider demands about how women are treated in a sexist society.

In Paris, some 3,500 people chanted, “We are all Gisele,” and, “Rapist we see you, victim we believe you.” In a powerful opening speech to the court, her lawyer Stephane Babboneau said Gisele was choosing to go public as a way of saying “shame must change sides”.

The wider women’s liberation movement in France has taken up slogans of casting off the shame and secrecy that victims of sexual violence are forced to endure. Protesters held up placards and banners saying, “Shame must change sides.”

In Paris, protester Cerise said, “It’s the trial of a society. All socio-professional categories are represented.

“I realised that when I move around, when I go to work, when I go to my family… statistically, there is always a rapist. This trial is about that.”

One of the most shocking elements of the case is how many people knew about the abuse, but did nothing to help Gisele. As the horrifying details of the abuse continue to pour out of the courtroom, it highlights how violence against women permeates every section of society.

On Monday, Gisele said she wanted to thank everyone who protested. “I was deeply touched by this movement,” she said. “Thanks to you all I have the strength to fight this to the end.

“I dedicate this fight to all people, women and men, who are victims of sexual violence across the world. To all those victims I say today look around you, you are not alone.”

Backstory

In 2020, police found 20,000 photographs and videos of Dominique Pelicot and other men sexually assaulting Gisele over a period of nearly ten years.

Gisele has no memory of the attacks but will see many of them played in court as dozens of defendants go on trial. Subsequent testing revealed that she had multiple sexually transmitted infections

Gisele and Dominique met when they were 19 and married at 21. They are now in their 70s.