Silent March Held in Support of Gisèle Pelicot and Victims of Sexual Violence

 

A silent march was organized on Saturday in Mazan, France, in support of Gisèle Pelicot and other women affected by sexual violence. The event took place in the village where Pelicot's husband stands accused of drugging her and allowing over 80 men to assault her in their home.

Hundreds of supporters, both men and women, gathered in solidarity with Pelicot, whose case has drawn global attention. Although Pelicot's family did not attend the march, they expressed gratitude for the public's backing.

One participant, a woman, told reporters, "As a woman, mother, and grandmother, I'm here to support Gisèle and other women and girls. This case should remind people to listen to women and not turn a blind eye to sexual abuse."

On Friday, a trial in Avignon took a significant turn when judges agreed to show video evidence in court. The footage, recorded by Pelicot's husband, Dominique, allegedly documents the abuse she endured. Initially, the presiding judge, Roger Arata, had suggested closing the courtroom due to the disturbing nature of the videos. However, Pelicot's legal team argued that the footage was essential to prove her suffering, as she was drugged and has no memory of the events.

While most of the 50 men accused of rape denied the charges, claiming they thought Pelicot was pretending to sleep and that her husband had consented, her lawyers argued otherwise. "These videos leave no doubt that this was not an accident or mere negligence," said lawyer Antoine Camus. "They show a deliberate act of rape."

Stéphane Babonneau, another of Pelicot's lawyers, emphasized the lasting impact on his client. "For Gisèle, it's too late; she will have to live with the trauma of 200 rapes while unconscious," he stated. "But if this public trial helps prevent other women from enduring the same, her pain will have meaning."

Dominique Pelicot, a retired electrician, had allegedly lured men from an online chatroom and drugged his wife over the course of a decade. His crimes were uncovered in 2020 after a security guard caught him filming a woman's skirt in a supermarket. He has pleaded guilty to aggravated rape.

Despite Pelicot’s case bringing attention to France's handling of sexual violence, more than 30 men caught on 20,000 videos and photos found on Dominique's computer remain unidentified. The trial is set to continue until December, with those convicted facing up to 20 years in prison.