On Dec.  19, Gisele Pelicot’s months-long trial concluded with the verdict that 51 men, including her ex-husband, Dominique Pelicot, had committed rape and would receive charges accordingly. The finality of this trial, which began on Sept. 2, may have relieved the traumatized mind of Pelicot, even if only slightly. However, it is now her mission to bring other victims the justice and conclusion that they deserve.

Pelicot lived an ordinary life, with children, grandchildren, and a husband whom she viewed as supportive and loving. When Dominique was caught taking pictures up the skirts of several women in a supermarket, he was arrested. Informing Pelicot of this action, he claimed that it was a mistake and, as a loyal wife, she was willing to forgive the act. 

However, this arrest led to a police search of her husband’s computer, in which a folder marked “Abuse” was discovered. It contained pictures and videos of Pelicot being raped and sexually abused by a variety of different men, including Dominique himself. Further investigation revealed that these rapists had been enlisted by her husband via a chatroom on Coco, an unmoderated dating site. The group was titled “Without Her Knowledge.”

Dominique had recruited countless men, even those with wives, to rape Pelicot from 2011 to 2020. In order to do this, he drugged her food and water with sleeping pills, causing her to be unconscious when such acts were performed.

Pelicot was unaware of these happenings, and they progressed for nine years. The only signs of such abuse were the loss of her hair and her worsening memory, for which her doctors could not determine the cause. When she learned of the incidents, she was traumatized. However, in the aftermath of the shock, Pelicot wanted to make a change.

When the trial started in September, and even preceding the prosecution, Pelicot became a major activist for women’s rights and the prevention of rape and sexual abuse. In France, rape was previously not regarded as a prominent issue in government and society, despite its common occurrences. Pelicot aims to change this culture and enlist allies to help combat such issues.

Dominique was given the maximum prison sentence of 20 years, and 51 of the men involved were also convicted, with imprisonment lengths of up to 15 years. 

While justice was served for Pelicot, many were not so lucky. Guilt is often hoisted onto the victims of sexual abuse, instead of the perpetrators, which is a pattern that Pelicot aims to discontinue. As a result, many victims have been afraid to speak out or report such behaviors, and horrific actions of rape have often gone unpunished. 

However, as Pelicot increases her statement to the world, much awareness is being brought to victims. Her impact and story has recruited more supporters, increased education, and worked to minimize rape and sexual crimes overall. 

People across the world can join Pelicot in this fight, no matter their age or gender. Educate yourself on and prioritize consent, make these situations known, and support victims. Most importantly, speak up for those who have been silenced, since, even though their voices have been minimized, their stories can make a difference, just as Pelicot’s did.