Gisèle Pelicot 'never regretted' opening mass rape trial

Gisèle Pelicot, a courageous woman, has made headlines for her decision to open her trial to the public. This choice came after a long and painful ordeal where her ex-husband, Dominique Pelicot, was found guilty of drugging her and orchestrating a series of rapes involving other men. On Thursday, outside the courthouse in Avignon, France, Gisèle expressed her gratitude to her supporters and stated that despite the challenges she faced, she has 'never regretted' her decision to make the trial public. She wanted society to witness the harsh realities of what she endured. Dominique Pelicot was sentenced to 20 years in prison for aggravated rape, and he was not alone in facing justice. Alongside him, 50 other men were accused, with 46 found guilty of rape, while two faced charges of attempted rape and two for sexual assault. In her brief statement outside the court, Gisèle emphasized her respect for the court's decision and reiterated her commitment to shedding light on the issue of sexual violence. 'I wanted to open the doors of this trial last September so that society could see what was happening - I have never regretted this decision,' she stated. Gisèle expressed her hope for a future where men and women can coexist in harmony, built on respect and understanding. She took a moment to thank her family and legal team for their unwavering support, and she also reflected on the many unrecognized victims whose stories often remain hidden. 'In this moment, my first thoughts are with my three children David, Caroline, and Florian. I am also thinking about my grandchildren because they are the future and it is also for them that I fought this battle,' she shared. For nearly a decade, Gisèle was unknowingly given sedatives by her ex-husband, who admitted to raping her and inviting men he met online to assault her while she was unconscious. While Dominique Pelicot confessed to his crimes, many of the other men on trial denied that their actions constituted rape. Most of these men hailed from towns and villages within a 50-kilometer radius of the Pelicots' home in Mazan. Among them were individuals from various professions, including firefighters, truck drivers, soldiers, security guards, a journalist, and a DJ. Gisèle attended nearly every day of the trial, often appearing in sunglasses to maintain her privacy. Her choice to waive her anonymity is quite rare, but she has remained steadfast in her resolve. 'I want all women who have been raped to say: Madame Pelicot did it, I can too,' she declared earlier in the trial. Despite the accolades she has received for her bravery, Gisèle has made it clear that she does not wish to be viewed as a hero. 'I am normal,' she insists, rejecting the notion of being an icon. Her lawyer, Stéphane Babonneau, highlighted that Gisèle's message is one of empowerment, encouraging women to recognize the strength they possess within themselves. 'Women generally have a strength in them that they can't even imagine and that they have to trust themselves. That's her message. ' Gisèle Pelicot's story serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of speaking out against injustice and the impact one person's courage can have on others.