Key Factors
- Pelicot selected to carry her trial in public, to assist different victims of sexual violence.
- Her husband has admitted to inviting dozens of strangers over to their home to rape her after he had drugged her.
- Pelicot mentioned her husband’s betrayal was past measure, saying “I am a girl who’s completely destroyed.”
Gisele Pelicot, the 72-year-old sufferer of whose ordeal has shocked the world, informed a trial in southern France on Wednesday that she was decided that making her case public ought to assist different girls and alter society.
Dominique Pelicot, her husband, has admitted to inviting dozens of strangers over practically ten years to their home to rape her after he had drugged her. Fifty different males additionally stand trial, accused of raping her.
Gisele Pelicot, her voice usually shaking with emotion, informed the courtroom she was destroyed by what occurred to her. She mentioned how “unbelievably violent” it was for her that lots of the accused within the trial, which began on 2 September, mentioned they thought she agreed to the rapes or was faking sleeping.
“I’ve determined to not be ashamed, I’ve carried out nothing improper,” Gisele Pelicot, who has grow to be an emblem of the combat in opposition to sexual violence, informed the courtroom in Avignon.
Pelicot’s case has sparked horror, protests and a debate about male violence in French society. Supply: EPA / Guillaume Horcajuelo
She mentioned she had insisted the trial be held publicly, and never behind closed doorways, as is usually the case to guard rape victims, within the hope it will assist different rape victims.
“They (rapists) are those who should be ashamed,” she mentioned, including that having movies, filmed by her husband, of a few of her rapes, proven throughout the trial, was “very troublesome however needed.”
“I am not expressing hatred or hate, however I’m decided that issues change on this society,” mentioned Gisele Pelicot.
Protests have been organised throughout France to indicate help for Gisele Pelicot, with many ladies expressing admiration for her braveness.
“It isn’t braveness. It is willpower to alter issues,” she mentioned. “This isn’t simply my battle, however that of all rape victims.”
A lot of the accused informed the courtroom they’ve been manipulated by Dominique Pelicot, rejecting the blame on him. Just a few have admitted to raping Gisele Pelicot.
“I hear these apologies, however they’re inaudible,” she informed the courtroom. “By apologising, they’re making an attempt to excuse themselves.”
Saying her husband’s betrayal of her belief was past measure, Gisele Pelicot informed the courtroom: “I am a girl who’s completely destroyed.”
She had thought he was the proper husband, she informed the courtroom, earlier than including: “My life has tumbled into nothingness.”
Should you or somebody you already know is impacted by household and home violence or sexual assault name 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or go to
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