Gisèle Pelicot Honored with France's Highest Award for Courageous Testimony

Gisèle Pelicot received the prestigious title of knight of the Legion of Honour, acknowledging her bravery in testifying against her husband during a mass-rape trial. Her efforts have ignited a conversation about victimhood and resilience in France.

Gisèle Pelicot, the courageous French woman who gained global attention for her impactful testimony in a mass-rape trial, has been awarded France's highest distinction: the Legion of Honour. At 72 years old, Pelicot was formally recognized among a total of 590 recipients ahead of France's Bastille Day celebrations.

In a bold move, Pelicot chose to waive her right to anonymity during the highly publicized trial against her husband. He had drugged and raped her consistently over several years while coercing about 50 other men to join in the abuse during a period of nearly a decade. The trial concluded in December 2022, with her husband, Dominique Pelicot, sentenced to a maximum of 20 years in prison for aggravated rape.

"I want all women who have been raped to say: Madame Pelicot did it, I can too," she proclaimed in a statement to journalists, emphasizing her desire to shift societal shame away from victims and towards offenders. French President Emmanuel Macron has lauded Pelicot as a pioneer and trailblazer, expressing that her resilience and dignity have touched and inspired both France and the world.

In addition to her honor, Pelicot's lawyer announced plans for a memoir that will detail her experiences, set to be released early next year. This development aims to further empower other survivors and shift societal attitudes around topics of rape and victimhood in France.