Gisèle Pelicot Honored with France's Prestigious Legion of Honour

Gisèle Pelicot, a courageous survivor who publicly testified in a notorious mass-rape trial, has been awarded the Legion of Honour for her bravery and impact on societal perceptions of sexual violence.

 

Gisèle Pelicot, a 72-year-old French woman, has been honored with the Knight of the Legion of Honour, France's highest distinction, in recognition of her extraordinary bravery in publicly testifying during a high-profile mass-rape trial. The announcement came ahead of France's Bastille Day celebrations, where she was one of 590 individuals to be celebrated for their contributions to society.

Pelicot made headlines last year when she waived her right to anonymity to recount her harrowing experience; she had been subjected to drugging and repeated rapes orchestrated by her then-husband, Dominique Pelicot, who also involved numerous strangers in the abuse over a span of nearly ten years. The trial culminated in December with her husband receiving a 20-year prison sentence for aggravated rape, following his confession.

Throughout the trial, Pelicot was an unyielding presence, attending proceedings daily and advocating for other survivors. In previous statements, she expressed her hope that her story would empower other women to come forward, stating, "I want all women who have been raped to say: Madame Pelicot did it, I can too." Her goal was to shift the stigma away from victims and direct it towards perpetrators of sexual violence.

French President Emmanuel Macron praised Pelicot for her remarkable dignity and bravery, noting that her actions have inspired both France and the global community. Pelicot's lawyer has announced that a memoir detailing her experiences will be published early next year, further illuminating her journey and the cultural shifts around the topic of rape in France.