Gisèle Pelicot accuses: Rapist from her circle of friends exposed!

Gisèle Pelicot accuses: Rapist from her circle of friends exposed!

In the scandal trial about mass abuse in southern France, Gisèle Pelicot's voice is tirelessly loud! In front of the court in Avignon she warns of the dangers that often lurk in our immediate surroundings. "The rapist is not the one you meet in the parking lot late at night. They are often people you have at home or in your circle of friends," she explains forcefully, making the listeners sit up and take notice. Her almost lost childhood and the feeling of being betrayed are unbearable for her.

She directs stunned questions directly to her ex-husband, the 72-year-old main defendant: "How could you deceive me like that? How could you let strangers into my bedroom?" The pain she feels is immeasurable: “I thought I would spend my days with this man!” The accusations are serious - over a period of ten years, her ex-husband is said to have drugged her and let other men rape her. These crimes have put at least 50 other accused perpetrators in the firing line, all of whom face up to 20 years in prison.

Courage for abused women

Pelicot chose to bear witness publicly to give other affected women the courage to speak out. “I want those who have been abused to no longer feel shame,” she explains as she calls for a rethink in society. “It’s not us who should be ashamed, but rather the perpetrators!” Her determination to make the trial public is part of her fight to expose the shocking abuses and contribute to change. This case is not only a trial against her ex-husband, but also a call for change in society. An important message that echoes through the courtroom!