Gisèle Pelicot, the French woman whose now ex-husband is on trial for drugging and raping her, and inviting dozens of other men to rape her, has taken the stand in court for the first time.
Gisèle told the court in Avignon she wants women who have been raped to know that “it’s not for us to have shame - it’s for them”.
“I want all women who have been raped to say: Madame Pelicot did it, I can too. I don’t want them to be ashamed any longer,” she said, referring to her request for an open trial and for the videos of the alleged rapes to be shown.
The other men’s defense is outright infuriating. “I didn’t know she was unconscious?” how many red flags need to go off in your head before you ask questions!? If you don’t get explicit consent from anyone you are about to have sex with, just keep it in your pants. This went on for years! So seemingly God knows how many men just ignored common sense and now (rightfully so) will be spending years locked away from society.