Gisèle Pelicot, the French woman subjected to years of rapes while unconscious by strangers whom her ex-husband recruited, said on Thursday, December 19, she respected the verdict of the court in the case after some voiced objections that the sentences were too lenient. "I respect the court and the verdict."
"It is with deep emotion that I speak to you today. This trial has been a very difficult ordeal, and at this moment I am thinking first and foremost of my three children, David, Caroline and Florian," said Gisèle Pelicot, adding that it was also for her grandchildren that she was "fighting this battle," as well as my daughters-in-law.
"I'm also thinking of all the other families affected by this tragedy. I'm also thinking of the unrecognized victims whose stories often remain in the shadows. I want you to know that we share the same struggle", continued Gisèle Pelicot. She went on to thank the victims' aid association that supported her, the journalists who followed the trial, and her lawyers.
She concluded: "When I opened the doors of this trial on September 2, I wanted society to be able to seize the debates that took place there. I have never regretted that decision. I now have confidence in our ability to collectively grasp a future in which everyone, women and men alike, can live in harmony, mutual respect and understanding."
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez hailed Gisèle Pelicot for her "dignity" after the verdicts were delivered. "What dignity. Thank you, Gisèle Pelicot. Shame must change sides," Sanchez wrote on X, using a slogan that has symbolized Pelicot's courage for insisting the trial that has horrified France and resonated worldwide be made public.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Thursday saluted her bravery for demanding a public and open trial of her ex-husband who was convicted of orchestrating her mass rape. "The shame must change sides. Thank you, Gisèle Pelicot!" Scholz said on X, echoing Pelicot's own words. "You courageously went from anonymity into the public eye and fought for justice. You gave women around the world a strong voice. The shame always lies with the perpetrator."
Sylviane Agacinski, philosopher: "Rape is not a result of masculinity but of its perversion"
Hélène Devynck, journalist: "The defense is a chemically pure sample of patriarchal violence"
Noémie Renard, essayist: "The trial shows the extent to which sexual violence is integrated in our society"
Camille Froidevaux-Metterie, philosopher: "Yes, all men are guilty, guilty of remaining indifferent"
Nathalie Heinich, sociologist: 'No, not all women think all men are guilty!'
Sylviane Agacinski, philosopher: 'Rape is not a result of masculinity but of its perversion'
Katie Ebner-Landy, historian: 'The Pelicot case fractures our sense of reality: We do not know who to trust, we cannot be sure of anyone's identity'
Irène Théry, sociologist: 'Opportunity-based rape is at the heart of the social issue at stake in the French rape trial'
Christine Bard, historian: 'The idea of the monster rapist has protected countless criminals in overalls, ties and robes'
Caroline Fourest, essayist: 'Let's avoid abusing #MeToo to settle scores and get rid of people'
Anne Bouillon, lawyer: 'Opportunistic rape is much more common than you might think'
Elisabeth Roudinesco, historian and psychoanalyst: 'Dominique Pelicot and his co-defendants are not ordinary men'
Florian Vörös, researcher in information and communication sciences: 'Sexual violence can be explained not only by a lack of education, but also by a lack of interest and activism by men'
ludi demol defe, specialist in gender issues, and Valérie Rey-Robert, feminist author: 'Presenting the defendants as victims of porn contributes to rape culture'