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Woman in mass rape trial hailed as symbol of resilience

todaySeptember 18, 2024 102

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Editor’s Note: This story contains some distressing details.

People around the world, especially women have come out in support of Frenchwoman, Gisèle Pelicot, with many calling her brave and strong despite everything she went through.

Pelicot was drugged to sleep by her husband Dominique, who recruited dozens of men through a now-defunct website called, Coco, to rape her for over 10 years.

He also filmed the mass rape.

The 72-year-old mother and grandmother, who is now hailed as a symbol of resilience and courage, filed for divorce after learning of the rapes from investigators.

The case has brought into the spotlight the global scourge of Gender-Based Violence, also sparking questions of what causes a man to go to such lengths to hurt not just a woman he purports to love but a mother of his children.

It has also triggered protests in France, with women coming out to support Gisèle, lauding her for deciding to go public about the atrocities she went through in her marriage.

Testifying on the third day of the trial, Pelicot said she was using this case to take back control of her life.

“Many women don’t have the proof. I have the proof. For 50 years, I lived with a man who I would never have imagined for a single second could do these things. I had complete confidence in this man,” said Pelicot.

It is reported that the husband crushed antidepressants into her food and drink, which has now affected her memory.

“It is not for myself that I am testifying, but for all the women who suffer chemical submission,” she said.

Pelicot’s now ex-husband has pleaded guilty to all charges against him and asked for forgiveness.

He says he hopes to win back his former partner.

The couple had three children in their 50 years together.

Dominique, the 71-year-old man accused of the brutal crime has since pleaded guilty to all charges against him.

Authorities also revealed that he worked with another man, Jean-Pierre Marechal. The duo allegedly drugged and raped Marechal’s wife Cilia after meeting on a website.

Pelicot was first arrested after he was caught filming up women’s skirts at a supermarket in Carpentras in September 2020, which led to his devices being searched.

Authorities then discovered hundreds of pornographic videos and photos of women.

Evidence of the atrocities committed to his wife were found on a hard drive, which had over 3 000 photos and videos of Pelicot being raped.

The case is expected to last until December 21.

Written by: Nonhlanhla Harris

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