Protests in France in support of Gisèle Pelicot, victim of multiple rapes

At the beginning of the month, He knew the horror that he lived through Gisele Pelicotwho was drugged by her husband to be raped by strangers contacted over the internet, between 2011 and 2020. The news generated outrage around the world, and during the day this Saturday sand protests took place in Franceplace where the crimes occurred and the trial is taking place.

People gathered in different parts of the European country to show their support for the woman and their rejection of the 51 accused, including her husband. Dominique Pelicot71 years old, who was discovered almost 4,000 photos and videos of the victim, visibly unconscious, while dozens of strangers They raped“My world is collapsing, everything is collapsing, everything I built 50 years ago,” he said. Gisele remembering moments through photographs.

In ParisMore than 3,500 protesters, women and men, gathered in the Republic Square, chanting slogans such as “You are no longer alone”, “Rapist, we see you; victim, we believe you” and “Shame changes sides”.

To the south, in Marseillesthe protesters – who numbered more than 1,000, according to the organizers – hung a banner on the courthouse that read: “So that shame changes sides”. “It takes a lot of courage on your part but it was essential, with this You can see the faces of her husband and everyone else“I saw that they were not marginalised people but ‘good parents’,” said Justine Imbert, 34, who demonstrated in the city with her six-year-old daughter.

Hundreds of people were also registered in Renneswith signs that said “protect your daughter, educate your son” or “Gisèle, we love you.” The Belgian graphic designer Aline Dessinewith 2.5 million subscribers on TikTok, drew a poster with the face of Gisèle Pelicot, with short hair and round sunglasses, which served to launch the call to demonstrate for victims of sexual violence.

At all the protests, participants demanded that these issues cease to be taboo and that this process serve to encourage society and public authorities to act. “This media trial will make people talk about it, will awaken consciences“declared Martine Ragon, a 74-year-old pensioner who took to the streets of Marseille to “denounce the culture of rape.”

“When I read the story, I felt disgust, even disgust at being a man […]”I hope there will be real condemnation, a real example,” Stéphane Boufferet, 26, an agricultural worker who protested with about 200 others in Clermont-Ferrand, in central France, told AFP.

How the trial continues

The defendants face up to 20 years in prison In this trial, with Roger Arata as president of the court, which should last until December 20thThe first interrogation of his is scheduled for next week. husbandwith whom she is currently in the process of divorce.

“It will be explained, it will be justified, if there is any justification, because it is unforgivable“the defendant’s lawyer stated, Beatrice Zavarroindicating that his client, who had followed his wife’s statement with his head down, “broke down” during the break.

The woman wanted to conduct this trial as a example about the use of drugs in rape and, at the beginning of the process, rejection that this be carried out behind closed doors, as requested in vain by the prosecution and part of the defense.

“I speak for all these women who are drugged and don’t know it, on behalf of all these women who may never know it,” the victim stressed, adding that her goal and objective in speaking out is “so that no more women have to suffer chemical submission“.