Around 30 rallies took place Saturday in Paris and across France in support of Gisèle Pelicot, a rape victim whose story has shocked the country. In a trial that opened last week, her ex-husband admitted to enlisting dozens of strangers to rape her while she was drugged, over a period of ten years.
The court proceedings – which began last week and are running until December – are open to the public at the request of Pelicot, who said she wished to raise awareness about the use of drugs to commit sexual abuse.
Pelicot, now 71, revealed her side of the story during 90 minutes of emotional testimony on Thursday.
For years, she said, she had had strange memory lapses and other health problems and thought she might have had Alzheimer's.
In November 2020, she was invited to speak to investigators, who showed her the images of a decade of sexual abuse orchestrated and filmed by her husband – Dominique Pelicot – and her world fell apart, she said in court.
"The police saved my life by investigating Mister Pelicot's computer," she told the court in the southern city of Avignon, referring to her husband only by his last name.
Shame 'must change sides'
She has requested for the trial to be made public so that "the shame changes sides", one of her lawyers, Stéphane Babonneau told the press.
Gisele Pelicot said she was speaking for "every woman" who's been drugged without knowing it.
"I'm taking back control of my life, to denounce chemical submission. Many women don't have the proof. I have the proof of what I've been through," she said.
Her case has inspired a number feminist movements to call for demonstrations across France on Friday and Saturday, "in support of Gisèle and all rape victims".
With her now trademark auburn bob and dark glasses, Gisèle Pelicot has become a figurehead in the battle against the use of drugs to commit sexual abuse.
She inspired Belgian graphic designer Aline Dessine to create a stylised portrait on social media which has become the symbol for protesters.
The artist has specified that any financial profit from the image should be donated to the charity "M'endors pas" created by Pelicot's daughter Caroline.
Amy Bah, from the NousToutes collective, which is organising a rally in Lille, says that the aim of these marches is to say "thank Gisèle" for her courage.
"We admire you enormously. Thanks to you, it will encourage women to speak out. We know that she is doing this for others, so that it no longer happens, so that the shame changes sides," Bah told France Inter radio on Saturday.
Important symbol
Anna Toumazoff, feminist activist said that "coming together was an important need among all the people who are following the trial.
"As a feminist personality on social networks, I received a lot of messages and comments about it," she told Franceinfo.
"We saw how much is was a part of conversations, including among people who were not necessarily accustomed to feminist discussions," Toumazoff says.
She said Gisèle's decision to refuse to go behind closed doors was "an extremely important symbol".
The trial has been adjourned to Monday after the key suspect was excused from attending over his deteriorating health, the court said.
Should Dominique Pelicot, 71, be unavailable to attend proceedings for a lengthy period of time, the trial will be postponed to a later date, presiding judge Roger Arata said Thursday.
Pelicot, who has admitted the allegations, was initially due to testify on Tuesday afternoon, but was on Monday excused from court over abdominal pain.
Computer files
Pelicot kept meticulous records of the abuse of his wife, discovered after police seized his computer and other equipment.
Most of the alleged rapes took place in the Pelicot home in Mazan, a village of 6,000 people in the southern region of Provence.
His daughter Caroline Darian, 45, has said her life was "literally turned upside down" when she heard of the alleged abuse.
Naked photomontages of her had also been found on his computer.
The couple's two other sons are still due to speak.
Pelicot has been on trial since last week, along with 50 other men aged between 26 and 74.
Most risk up to 20 years in jail for aggravated rape.
(with newswires)
