Gisele Pelicot, French victim, hopes for justice for women

Gisele Pelicot, French victim, hopes for justice for women

Gisele Pelicot, the 72-year-old victim of a massacre towing, whose fate shakes the world, said on Wednesday in court in southern France that she was determined to make her case public to help other women and to change society.

The confession of her husband

Dominique Pelicot, her husband, admitted to having invited dozens of strangers to their house over a period of almost 10 years in order to rape them after administering drugs. In addition to him, fifty other men who are accused of have also become attacked.

an emotional process

Gisele Pelicot often spoke in the court in a trembling voice and reported that she was destroyed by what happened to her. She said horrified that many of the accused, whose trial began on September 2, thought she had agreed to the attacks or would just pretend it as if she were sleeping.

Courage to openness

"I decided not to be ashamed, I didn't do anything wrong," emphasized Gisele Pelicot in front of the court in Avignon, where she has become a symbol in the fight against sexual violence.

public negotiation for the future

It insisted that the process was held publicly instead of behind closed doors, as is often the case to protect the victims. Their goal was to help other victims of sexualized violence.

call to change

"The rapists are those who have to be ashamed," she said, adding that it was "very difficult but necessary" to show videos that were recorded by her husband during some attacks.

solidarity from society

Protests were organized throughout France to support Gisele Pelicot, with many women showing admiration for their courage. "It is not courage. It is determined to change something," she said. "This is not just my struggle, but the rape victim."

reactions of the accused

Most of the defendants stated that they were manipulated by Dominique Pelicot and pointed out the responsibility. Few gave the crime. Some apologized.

a voice of those affected

"I hear these excuses, but they are inaudible," she said before the court. "With their apologies they try to apologize." Gisele Pelicot reported that her husband's betrayal of her trust was immeasurable.

a broken dream

She thought that he was the perfect husband before adding: "My life crashed into nothing." These painful words reflect the deep emotional as well as psychological damage that she suffered from the repeated attacks.