Moved by the courage of Gisèle Pelicot, who was drugged by her husband and raped by dozens of men now on trial in Avignon, nearly 10,000 people protested across France on Saturday in support of victims of sexual violence. This nationwide movement aims to “shift the shame” and denounce rape culture.
The chants of “We are all Gisèle,” “Rapist, we see you, victim, we believe you,” and “You are not alone” echoed throughout the demonstrations. In Paris, 3,500 protesters gathered at Place de la République, while in Marseille, over 1,000 people rallied in front of the courthouse with a banner calling for a change in mindset. In Rennes, between 200 and 400 people held signs with messages like “Protect your daughter, educate your son” and “Gisèle, we love you.”
The trial of Gisèle Pelicot’s husband, who recruited 50 men to rape her while she was unconscious, has sparked widespread outrage. By agreeing to make the trial public, the 71-year-old woman became a powerful symbol of resistance and the fight against sexual violence.
The need for collective action
“It takes enormous courage, but it was fundamental,” said Justine Imbert, 34, who marched in Marseille with her daughter. “It shows the faces of her husband and the others, ‘good family men,’ to highlight that these crimes aren’t just committed by marginal individuals.”
For Maya Schalzé, a 23-year-old student at the Bordeaux rally, rape is a collective issue. “Many people think rape is an isolated act committed by disturbed individuals. That’s not true. It’s a societal and educational problem that needs to be tackled at the root.”
Elsa Labouret, spokesperson for Osez le Féminisme!, also emphasized Gisèle’s strength. “She’s incredibly brave. She refused a closed-door trial and wants the whole world to see this case. We’re here to support her and demand justice.”
The disgust triggered by this case transcends gender. Stéphane Boufferet, a 26-year-old protester in Clermont-Ferrand, stated: “When I read the story, I felt disgusted to be a man. I hope there will be real convictions.”
Across France, protesters highlighted the need to break the taboo surrounding sexual violence. This case echoes other scandals, including recent allegations of long-concealed sexual assaults against Abbé Pierre. Martine Ragon, 74, a protester in Marseille, hopes the trial “will raise awareness and break the silence surrounding rape culture.” Her partner, Gérard Etienne, added: “We need to support women who are treated like this.”
A call to action against sexual and gender-based violence
The demonstrations also shed light on the issue of drug-facilitated sexual assault, central to Gisèle Pelicot’s trial. In Bastia, Lisa Lemonnier shared: “Two of my friends were drugged with GHB during a party. It’s something many of us have experienced or come close to.”
Across France, thousands gathered for these protests. In Paris, public figures like Charlotte Arnould, who accused Gérard Depardieu of rape, and Camille Kouchner, author of *La Familia Grande*, joined the movement. MP Sandrine Josso, who accused Senator Joël Guerriau of drugging her with the intent to assault her, also participated.
Anne-Cécile Mailfert, president of the Women’s Foundation, called for a comprehensive law against gender-based and sexual violence. She stated that “at least three billion euros are needed to effectively tackle sexual violence. This is less than 0.5% of the state’s budget. A small investment to save lives.”
This trial, and the wave of support surrounding it, highlight the urgent need to address sexual violence in France. Victims’ voices are finally being heard, and society is beginning to grasp the scale of the issue. It remains to be seen whether these protests will lead to real change and concrete action to protect women and bring justice to victims.