Women and men demonstrated together Saturday in Paris and other French cities in support of Gisèle Pelicot and against sexual violence highlighted by the harrowing trial of her ex-husband and dozens of other men being prosecuted for rapes while she was drugged and unconscious, reports FRANCE 24.
The demonstrations outside Paris' criminal court, in the southeastern city of Lyon and elsewhere underscored how Pelicot's courage in speaking out about her ordeal is inspiring people in France and beyond, even as they've been horrified by the scale and brutality of the abuse she suffered over the course of a decade.
Since the Sept. 2 beginning of the extraordinary trial, during which Pelicot has faced 51 of her alleged rapists, she has been praised for her composure and decision to keep the hearings public — after the court initially suggested that they be held behind closed doors.
“She has decided to make this an emblematic trial,” said Elsa Labouret, one of the Paris demonstrators and a spokesperson for the women’s group “Osez le féminisme!” (Dare to be feminist!)