A silent march was held in Mazan on Saturday to support Gisèle Pelicot and other female victims of sexual violence. This event comes in the wake of allegations against Pelicot’s husband, who is accused of drugging her and facilitating assaults by over 80 men in their home.
Hundreds of supporters, both women and men, gathered to show solidarity with Pelicot, whose case has drawn international attention. Although members of the Pelicot family did not participate, they expressed gratitude for the public support.
One participant, speaking to French reporters, emphasized the importance of listening to women and raising awareness about sexual abuse. “I am here firstly to support Gisèle, who is really very brave, and other women and girls,” she said.
In a notable development in the ongoing mass rape trial in Avignon, judges agreed to allow videos made by Dominique Pelicot of the alleged abuse to be presented in court. Despite concerns about the videos’ shocking content, Gisèle Pelicot’s lawyers insisted that their client wished for them to be shown as evidence of her ordeal. Due to her drugged state, Pelicot has no memory of the assaults, making the videos critical to her case.
Dominique Pelicot, a retired electrician, has pleaded guilty to aggravated rape over a decade-long period. He reportedly lured men from an online chatroom and drugged his wife with medication mixed into her food or drink.
The trial is expected to continue until the end of December, with the accused facing up to 20 years in prison if convicted. The case has highlighted systemic failures in addressing sexual violence in France and has made Gisèle Pelicot a symbol for feminists advocating for change.
