PARIS – Thousands of people gathered in the center of Paris Saturday in an emotional show of support for Gisèle Pélicot, a victim of mass rape.
The 72-year-old woman was drugged by her husband for more than a decade and filmed being raped by more than 70 different men he contacted online.
The husband, Dominique Pélicot, has pleaded guilty to aggravated rape and drugging, but is facing additional charges.
He and 51 more men, who are accused of raping Gisèle Pélicot, are on trial now in the south of France for the crimes.
When police arrested Dominique Pélicot in 2020 for taking upskirt photos in a shopping mall, they examined his phone. In addition to the mall images, investigators found thousands of videos showing dozens of different men raping his wife.
Gisèle Pélicot learned of the rapes when police showed her the videos.
The emotionally charged rally in Paris, along with others throughout France, featured speakers supporting Gisèle Pélicot.
She made the news internationally, not only for being the victim of a horrifying crime, but also for choosing to publicly disclose the four month long trial of the 51 men accused.
“Shame must change sides,” said Stéphane Babonneau, one of Gisèle Pélicot’s lawyers to the French news agency AFP.
On Saturday afternoon, several thousand people followed up on that statement, and filled up the Place de le République in Paris to show support for Pélicot and all victims of sexual violence.
Women, men, elders and children all came together and chanted slogans like “Victims, we believe you!” “Rapists, we see you,” or “We are all Gisèle.”
An array of feminist activists spoke to the crowd, to condemn the crimes and to demand action. They encouraged the crowd – some crying, others angry – to come to future rallies to continue to show support.
Rally speaker Maud Pidou, director of communications for the Information Centers on Women’s and Families’ rights, demanded more important funding by the French government to fight sexual violence against women.
Alongside her fellow activists, Pidou called for a 3 billion euro plan to better protect victims of sexual abuse.
Sandrine Josso, a member of the French Parliament, made a quick speech as a spokesperson for the #M’endorsPas movement. This movement was created by Pélicot’s daughter Caroline Darian to fight against chemical-induced submission, or drugging a victim before a sexual assault.
Josso herself is involved in a legal case. She accused French Senator Joël Guerriau of drugging her unknowingly during a private dinner at his home.
Many at the rally called for more popular support for the cause.
Psychologist and activist Morgan Noam urged all men to do their part in the fight against sexual violence against women.
“We are all part of the problem so we are all part of the solution,” Noam said.
Psychologist Joseph Agostini said the judicial system should not “pathologize rape by convenience.”
Agostini alleged that rapists should not first be considered to be mentally unstable by the press and judicial system as a way to protect them. He also condemns the “criminal complicity” of porn websites in this affair.
“Rape is only recognized when the rapists confess,” said Anissa Rami, an independent journalist who addressed the crowd. She and others called for reform of the judicial system regarding the handling of rape complaints.
Journalist and activist Giulia Foïs told the crowd that today in France, “0.6% of rapes end up in conviction” and “94% of rape complaints are dismissed without action.”
The rallies that took place in dozens of French cities this Saturday demonstrate the outrage of French people at these crimes.
Writer Lola Lafon left the Paris crowd with an unsettling question.
“If there wouldn’t have been these thousands of videos, who would have believed Gisèle?” Lafon asked.
Mayalie Cieutat is a Reporter with Youth Journalism International.
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