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Gisèle Pelicot is the 72-year-old woman who was at the centre of a mass rape trial in France in 2024 that shocked nations worldwide. It was not just the horrific nature of the abuse she suffered that made her a household name, but also her unwavering strength and determination. The trial has evoked criticism on a society that enables the rape and abuse of women, with many condemning the misogynistic frameworks of society that position women as objects of male pleasure.
It began in the Mazan commune in the south of France, where Ms Pelicot was experiencing intense fatigue and was beginning to fear that she was physically ill. However, the horrifying truth was that her husband at the time, Dominique Pelicot, had been drugging her. He then allowed dozens of men to enter their home and repeatedly rape her whilst he videoed the events. This abuse continued for almost a decade. Shockingly, 51 men, including her husband, were placed on trial for charges varying from rape to sexual assault. With ages ranging from 26-74, the men were recruited by Dominique to take part in the abuse, with many returning multiple times. The majority of these men had no criminal records. Many were husbands, some were even fathers. It was a historic moment when all offenders were convicted.
France has many measures in place to protect victims of sexual violence during trials, including granting them anonymity. However, Ms Pelicot chose to waive this right, and, in turn, became a public figure. Throughout the course of the trial, Ms Pelicot became a feminist icon as she attacked the patriarchal culture that places blame on victims of sexual violence. In reference to other victims, Ms Pelicot stated, ‘I wanted those women to say: Madame Pelicot did it, we can do it too.’ It is this female solidarity which has been quintessential in shaping how the case has been perceived. What could have been a case which purely exemplified the horrors of sexual abuse has become a narrative of female unity and resistance. Despite the horrific trauma Ms Pelicot has had to endure, she allowed for her story, and her message of bravery, to reach women of all ages.
Perhaps one of the strongest examples of this female support can be seen within Australian communities. The Older Women’s Network (OWN) in NSW gifted Ms Pelicot a scarf as a sign of support. Ms Pelicot expressed from a court in Avignon that she was ‘very touched’ by the gesture. The scarf itself holds strong symbology, as it is a First Nations artwork made by Martu artist Mulyatingki Marney, which depicts saltwater pools in Western Australia known for their healing qualities. The OWN expressed that they hoped the scarf and its meaning would bring Ms Pelicot some solace and support, aiding her on a long journey of healing. The CEO of OWN expressed the importance the women felt in having the scarf be the work of an older, female, First Nations artist. She stated that ‘First Nations women have endured hundreds of years of violence and suffering, sexual violence – and yet, they persist to fight for the future’. Gender-based sexual violence does not discriminate. It impacts women regardless of class, nationality, age, and culture. The scarf worn by Ms Pelicot is a symbol of the connection between all those who have faced gender-based sexual violence. Misogyny pervades every aspect of life, but a much stronger force is female solidarity and the power of women when they stand up for themselves, and others, in the face of adversity.
The trial’s impacts can still be felt today, as it has shed light on a ‘patriarchal society that trivialises rape,’ as Ms Pelicot stated herself. The horrific nature of the abuse that she suffered attests to a culture that enables the abuse of women. Women from all around the world have expressed not only their support, but their appreciation for Ms Pelicot’s bravery in advocating for their right to live free from shame. After all, as Ms Pelicot stated, ‘When you’re raped there is shame, and it’s not for us to have shame, it’s for them.’
Written by Matilda Davies
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