This was the term French woman Gisele Pelicot used in court.
Wednesday, October 23 at 20:03
Short version
- Gisele Pelicot has testified about nine years of extensive rape committed by her ex-husband and over 50 other men.
- The case has sparked debate about violence perpetrated by men and made Pelicot a feminist icon.
- Pelicot encourages other women to come forward with their stories of sexual assault.
- The ex-husband has admitted guilt.
Show more
For the second time in the trial against her ex-husband and 50 other men, Pelicot was given the floor by the judge in the case, who asked what the 71-year-old’s impression of the trial was so far.
– I am a woman who is completely shattered, Pelicot told, before adding that she wanted to change how society handles sexual assault.
According to the indictment, she was drugged and raped around 200 times. The ex-husband was responsible for most, while strangers recruited via the internet were responsible for more than 90 of the rapes.
Became an Icon
The case has gained attention and started a debate about violence perpetrated by men in French society.
Pelicot has become a feminist icon in France since the trial began in the southern city of Avignon early last month.
Read also: French judge allows viewing of video evidence in mass rape case
She insisted that the case be open to the public. At the same time, she encouraged other women who have experienced sexual assault to come forward with their stories.
– It is not we who should carry the shame; it is they who should, she said.
– I want every woman who has been a victim of rape to say to herself, “Pelicot did it, so we can do it too.” I don’t want them to carry shame any longer, she said, according to BBC.
Spoke to the Ex-Husband
Pelicot, who is nearing 72 years old, further stated that she was not sure if she had enough time left in her life to heal from what she had been through.
When she had the floor, she also chose to speak to her ex-husband, who did not look at her, and asked him to explain what made him drug her for nearly a decade to rape her and invite other men to do the same.
– I try to understand how my husband, who was the perfect man, became this way. How you could let these people into our home, knowing that I disliked swinging. For me, this is an indescribable betrayal.
Read also: Rape accused apologized
In recent weeks, wives, mothers, and sisters of the accused in the case have also taken to the witness stand, BBC reports. Pelicot summarized it by saying that she has seen them describe the accused as exceptional men.
– It is just like him I had at home. But a rapist is not just someone you meet in a dark parking lot late at night. He can also be found in the family, among friends.
Filmed the Assaults
The man filmed large parts of the assaults against his ex-wife and stored it on a hard drive in a folder marked with “abuse”. He was accidentally exposed when caught filming under women’s skirts at a local grocery store.
The trial is scheduled to conclude on December 20. The man has admitted that he drugged his then-wife and invited other men to rape her during the years between 2011 and 2020.
Read also