Gisèle Pelicot Returns to Court: From Victim to Feminist Icon Amid Family Turmoil
Gisèle Pelicot, once an anonymous retired grandmother, became a symbol of resilience and a feminist icon after enduring the largest rape trial in French history. Now, she returns to court in Nîmes for the appeal of Husamettin Dogan, one of the 51 men convicted of raping her. This appeal reopens a deeply personal and public wound, further complicating the fractured relationships within her family.
The Landmark Trial and Global Resonance
Between September and December 2024, Gisèle Pelicot's story garnered global attention. For over a decade, she was drugged and sexually assaulted by numerous men recruited by her husband, Dominique Pelicot, who meticulously documented the crimes. These recordings were pivotal in identifying and prosecuting the majority of the perpetrators.
- After a grueling 16-week trial, 46 men were found guilty of rape, two of attempted rape, and two of sexual assault.
- Dominique Pelicot received the maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
- Husamettin Dogan, the only defendant appealing his sentence, was initially found guilty of aggravated rape and sentenced to nine years.
Dogan's Appeal: A Retrial of Trauma
Husamettin Dogan's appeal effectively constitutes a retrial. The videos of Gisèle's rape will once again be presented in court, compelling her to relive the trauma. Although not legally obligated, Gisèle Pelicot feels a "responsibility to be there until the end of the proceedings," according to her lawyer, Stéphane Babonneau.
"Everyone would have understood if she hadn't come because, well, she is trying to resume a normal life... But she feels she needs to be there and has a responsibility to be there until the end of the proceedings." - Stéphane Babonneau, Gisèle Pelicot's lawyer
A Family Divided: The Forgotten Victims
The trial's impact extends far beyond the courtroom, fracturing the Pelicot family. A rift emerged between Gisèle and her eldest children, Caroline Darian and David Pelicot. They now consider themselves the "forgotten victims" of the ordeal. The family split stems, in part, from allegations of incest against Dominique Pelicot, which Caroline brought forward, but the allegations were not supported by Gisèle during the initial trial. Florian, the youngest son, will be the only sibling accompanying Gisèle to the Nîmes court.
| Key Figure | Role | Current Status |
|---|---|---|
| Gisèle Pelicot | Victim, Witness | Attending the appeal trial in Nîmes. |
| Husamettin Dogan | Defendant | Appealing his rape conviction and sentence. |
| Dominique Pelicot | Husband, Perpetrator | Serving a 20-year prison sentence. |
| Caroline Darian | Daughter | No longer in contact with her mother. |
| David Pelicot | Son | Supporting his sister, Caroline; estranged from his mother. |
Societal Impact and Lasting Legacy
Despite the personal cost, Gisèle Pelicot’s courage in publicly confronting her rapists has sparked vital conversations about rape, consent, and gender violence in France and beyond. Gisèle hopes her actions will encourage other victims to speak out and shift the shame from the victim to the perpetrator. She has since been named one of Time's 100 most influential people and received numerous awards, solidifying her place as a feminist icon.
