In brief
Gisèle Pelicot, a French woman known for her fearless public testimony in her mass-rape case, has been awarded the Knight of the Legion of Honour, France's highest accolade, in recognition of her courage and determination to confront her abuser.
Gisèle Pelicot, a 72-year-old woman from France, has been awarded the Knight of the Legion of Honour, one of the highest honors in the country, following her remarkable public testimony during her mass-rape trial last year. The announcement came just ahead of France's Bastille Day celebrations, honoring her bravery in coming forward. Pelicot made headlines when she chose to waive her right to anonymity during the trial of her husband, Dominique Pelicot, who was convicted of drugging and raping her over many years, while also recruiting numerous strangers to abuse her. Attending nearly every day of the trial, which concluded in December with Dominique receiving a 20-year prison sentence, Pelicot used her platform to inspire others to stand against sexual violence. "I want all women who have been raped to say: Madame Pelicot did it, I can too," she expressed, seeking to shift the stigma and shame from the victims to the perpetrators. French President Emmanuel Macron praised Pelicot as an inspiration, acknowledging her impactful testimony as a pivotal moment in the fight against sexual assault in France. In addition to the honor, her lawyer has announced plans to publish a memoir capturing Pelicot's harrowing experiences and journey in her own words, further amplifying her story and message of resilience.
