'It's the height of horror': protests in 30 French cities in support of Gisele Pelicot

Source: The Observer

‘It’s the height of horror’: protests in 30 French cities in support of Gisèle Pélicot

Outrage at ordeal of woman raped after being drugged by husband leads to marches across the country

Kim Willsher in Paris
Sat 14 Sep 2024 19.48 BST
Last modified on Sat 14 Sep 2024 20.38 BST

Hundreds of protesters gathered across France on Saturday in support of Gisèle Pélicot, the woman whose husband drugged her and invited more than 80 men to rape her at their home over the course of a decade.

Feminist groups organised about 30 protests in cities including Paris and Marseille. Demonstrators also gathered in Brussels. At Place de la République in Paris, protesters held placards with messages of support for victims of sexual violence. One read: “Gisèle for all. All for Gisèle.”

The case of the 72-year-old, who was repeatedly assaulted while unconscious, shocked the world. Her husband, Dominique, 71, who has pleaded guilty, is being tried with 50 other men accused of raping her.

Gisèle Pélicot has been widely praised for her courage in saying the trial should be held in public, rather than behind closed doors.

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Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/sep/14/its-the-height-of-horror-protests-in-30-french-cities-in-support-of-gisele-pelicot