The Shame is Not Ours, It’s Theirs” – Gisèle Pelicot’s Mass Rape Battle Redefines France’s Fight Against Rape Culture

Source: The Guardian

The trial of Dominique Pelicot, accused of drugging and facilitating the mass rape of his wife, Gisèle Pelicot, has become not just a legal proceeding but a watershed moment in French society. Since it began on September 2, 2024, in Avignon, this case has sparked fierce debates over consent, rape culture, and the nation’s broader response to sexual violence. With every revelation, Gisèle, now 71 years old, has emerged as a symbol of both courage and the grim reality many women endure. Her public defiance and decision to keep the proceedings open have turned her into a beacon for survivors worldwide.

While the trial has garnered attention across borders, it has also reignited broader discussions about the gaps in French criminal law, particularly the absence of explicit consent in defining rape. From local streets lined with graffiti reading “Gisèle, women thank you” to international media coverage, the trial has captured public sentiment and driven calls for legal reform.

Trial Details: A Shocking Reality

• Background:
  • Gisèle Pelicot was married to Dominique Pelicot for nearly 50 years.
  • Gisèle initially described Dominique as an ideal companion.
  • However, in the final decade of their marriage, Dominique began drugging Gisèle.
  • He arranged for at least 80 men to assault her, filming and cataloging the attacks.
  • The assaults took place without Gisèle’s awareness, as she was rendered unconscious by the drugs.
• Perpetrators:
  • The accused men range in age from 26 to 74 years old.
  • They come from diverse social backgrounds, such as teachers, businessmen, and civil servants.
  • Their involvement in the assaults challenges the stereotype of the typical rapist.
  • The men claimed that they were misled into participating.
  • They believed, wrongly, that the couple led a consensual libertine lifestyle.
  • Gisèle firmly rejected this, stating: “They are rapists, they rape, full stop. When they apologize, it’s only to soothe themselves.”
• Legal Context:
  • The trial has intensified debates over French laws addressing sexual violence.
  • Unlike other countries, French law does not base the definition of rape solely on lack of consent.
  • This loophole, according to activists, often allows perpetrators to shift blame onto victims.
  • The trial has amplified calls for updating the law to protect victims better.

Gisèle Pelicot: From Survivor to Symbol

• Public Persona:
  • Gisèle’s transformation from a private individual to a public figure has been marked by resilience.
  • Walking into court daily amidst cameras and supporters, she embodies defiance.
  • Placards, murals, and graffiti across France feature her bob haircut and round sunglasses.
  • Her public image symbolizes both courage and resistance to rape culture.
  • Gisèle’s lawyer, Antoine Camus, explained her impact: “She is not just fighting for herself but for a change that affects millions.”
• Public Support and Global Reactions:
  • Messages of solidarity have come from countries like Spain, Germany, and Brazil.
  • Signs at protests have declared, “Spain, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Brazil, England…are with you.”
  • Gisèle has become an international figure, symbolizing the fight against rape culture.
  • Her story has drawn parallels with past feminist icons like Simone Veil, emphasizing agency and resilience.

Consent Debate: Is It Enough?

• Legislative Concerns:
  • As calls to include consent in rape laws intensify, the debate has become divisive.
  • Activist Anne-Cécile Mailfert believes focusing solely on consent could backfire.
  • She stated: “Consent places the emphasis once more on the victim, not the rapist.”
  • Current French rape laws are considered outdated by many activists and scholars.
  • Investigations into sexual assault often involve probing victims’ personal lives.
  • Questions about victims’ clothing, behavior, and past sexual history are common.
  • Justice Minister Didier Migaud has shown tentative support for legal changes.
  • He stated: “I am open to including consent in the legal definition of rape, but we must be prudent in our approach.”

Wider Implications: A Moment of Reckoning

• Systemic Issues:
  • Recent statistics reveal that nearly half of sexual assaults in France are committed by someone known to the victim.
  • This highlights the pervasive nature of rape culture and societal attitudes.
  • Lawyer Anne Bouillon stressed the need for a comprehensive response to sexual violence.
  • She said: “Rape is committed structurally by ordinary men. To truly address this issue, we need a comprehensive framework and dedicated resources.”
  • However, Bouillon doubts that meaningful reform will occur due to budget constraints.
  • Public spending cuts could hinder efforts to implement substantive changes.
  • Calls for broader reform include systematic investigation of rape complaints.
  • Activists demand banning inquiries into victims’ sexual histories during trials.
  • There is also a push for legislation that provides better frameworks for victim protection.

Human Stories vs. Legal Realities

• The Ordinary Made Extraordinary:
  • The Pelicot case is striking in its raw humanity, highlighting the ordinariness of both the victim and perpetrators.
  • Legal scholar Camille Devaux commented: “The Pelicot case forces us to confront the ordinariness of evil. The men involved were not ‘monsters’ in the classical sense; they were part of everyday society.”
  • Gisèle’s decision to allow the court to screen the recorded videos publicly was both harrowing and powerful.
  • This decision provided solid evidence and challenged the tendency to discredit victims.
  • In one emotional moment during the trial, Gisèle was asked why she chose to relive her trauma publicly.
  • She responded: “Because I have nothing to hide, and they do.”

Anticipations and Broader Implications

• Future Verdict:
  • The trial is set to resume on November 4, with a final verdict expected on December 20.
  • The case is not just a test for French judicial norms but a mirror reflecting societal attitudes toward sexual violence.
  • If the trial prompts legislative changes, it could serve as a model for other countries facing similar issues.
  • Activists emphasize that a single case cannot resolve deeply rooted problems.
  • As Mailfert aptly stated: “There will be a ‘before’ and an ‘after’ Pelicot, but real change requires sustained pressure.”
  • The case has also fueled discussions on masculinity, power dynamics, and cultural tolerance of sexual violence.
  • Many hope that Gisèle’s story will drive lasting change and inspire a reevaluation of societal norms.

Sources: The Guardian, Al Jazeera and Barron’s.