'‘Gisèle has forced France to stop looking away’: our panel on the Pelicot rape trial verdict' diff viewer (0/1)

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What does the verdict in the Gisèle Pelicot rape trial mean for France? Our panel responds	What does the verdict in the Gisèle Pelicot rape trial mean for France? Our panel responds
2024-12-19 12:21:19 UTC	2024-12-19 12:51:36 UTC (30 minutes later)
All 51 men on trial have been found guilty, a fact that needs to prompt major changes in French society	All 51 men on trial have been found guilty, a fact that needs to prompt major changes in French society
Rokhaya Diallo: This trial has killed off the myth of the ‘monster’ rapist	Rokhaya Diallo: This trial has killed off the myth of the ‘monster’ rapist
One face and name dominated the streets of Paris on 23 November as the annual march marking International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women took place. Gisèle Pelicot’s image was everywhere – she is a new feminist hero.	One face and name dominated the streets of Paris on 23 November as the annual march marking International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women took place. Gisèle Pelicot’s image was everywhere – she is a new feminist hero.
A respectable, retired grandmother, whose husband ~~Dominique~~ sedated her, raped her and recruited dozens of other men to inflict an unimaginable amount of sexual violence on her over a decade, had come to embody the perfect victim. It should not be surprising, then, that Dominique Pelicot and all of his 50 co-defendants have now been found guilty, and that Pelicot himself has been sentenced to 20 years in prison.	A respectable, retired grandmother, whose husband sedated her, raped her and recruited dozens of other men to inflict an unimaginable amount of sexual violence on her over a decade, had come to embody the perfect victim. It should not be surprising, then, that Dominique Pelicot and all of his 50 co-defendants have now been found guilty, and that Pelicot himself has been sentenced to 20 years in prison.
Unlike the vast majority of the 110,000 people who face sexual violence in France every year, the fact that Gisèle Pélicot was drugged unconscious during these crimes meant she could not be unfairly accused of having somehow caused or provoked the rapes.	Unlike the vast majority of the 110,000 people who face sexual violence in France every year, the fact that Gisèle Pélicot was drugged unconscious during these crimes meant she could not be unfairly accused of having somehow caused or provoked the rapes.
But the strength of one woman whose unspeakable fate has garnered international solidarity cannot mask the fact that most French women still face denial and dismissal daily when they allege sexual assault. Over the past decade, 86% of reports of sexual violence have been dropped, meaning that only 14% of cases have made it through to a trial. But even in those cases, the conviction rate is very low: only 13% of suspects in sexual violence cases face consequences.	But the strength of one woman whose unspeakable fate has garnered international solidarity cannot mask the fact that most French women still face denial and dismissal daily when they allege sexual assault. Over the past decade, 86% of reports of sexual violence have been dropped, meaning that only 14% of cases have made it through to a trial. But even in those cases, the conviction rate is very low: only 13% of suspects in sexual violence cases face consequences.
The trial of Dominique Pélicot and the staggering variety of profiles of his co-defendants have shown to the world that there is no “type” when it comes to sexual violence. The myth of the pervert “monster” who assaults unknown women does not reflect the reality of rapes, most of which are committed by people known to the victim.	The trial of Dominique Pélicot and the staggering variety of profiles of his co-defendants have shown to the world that there is no “type” when it comes to sexual violence. The myth of the pervert “monster” who assaults unknown women does not reflect the reality of rapes, most of which are committed by people known to the victim.
And reporting sexual violence does not mean that you will get support: 40% of women who file a complaint in France have reported that their treatment by the police or gendarmerie was poor.	And reporting sexual violence does not mean that you will get support: 40% of women who file a complaint in France have reported that their treatment by the police or gendarmerie was poor.
If this trial and the verdict have prompted a national reckoning and introspection among men, it is up to the French government to take responsibility for making sure that every victim feels heard and validated.	If this trial and the verdict have prompted a national reckoning and introspection among men, it is up to the French government to take responsibility for making sure that every victim feels heard and validated.
In her statement after today’s verdict, Gisèle Pelicot said she has confidence “in our capacity collectively to find a better future where women and men alike can live together with mutual respect”. I hope she is right.	In her statement after today’s verdict, Gisèle Pelicot said she has confidence “in our capacity collectively to find a better future where women and men alike can live together with mutual respect”. I hope she is right.
Rokhaya Diallo is a French journalist, writer, film-maker, activist and Guardian columnist	Rokhaya Diallo is a French journalist, writer, film-maker, activist and Guardian columnist
Rokhaya Diallo is a French journalist, writer, film-maker, activist and Guardian columnist	Rokhaya Diallo is a French journalist, writer, film-maker, activist and Guardian columnist
Anne Bouillon: After Gisèle Pelicot, the women I represent are demanding public justice	Anne Bouillon: After Gisèle Pelicot, the women I represent are demanding public justice
This is a good day for French justice and for French society. The court did not have to hand down the severest possible sentences to make examples of the guilty, but rather the trial needed to be conducted in an exemplary way. I believe this objective has been achieved to perfection.	This is a good day for French justice and for French society. The court did not have to hand down the severest possible sentences to make examples of the guilty, but rather the trial needed to be conducted in an exemplary way. I believe this objective has been achieved to perfection.
But after this verdict, what will remain of this extraordinary trial? The nature of the crimes that were committed was not in itself exceptional, it was the scale of them that was so harrowing. We were already well aware that women are in danger first in their own homes and that rape is perpetrated by ordinary men. In that sense, this trial has taught us nothing that we did not already know.	But after this verdict, what will remain of this extraordinary trial? The nature of the crimes that were committed was not in itself exceptional, it was the scale of them that was so harrowing. We were already well aware that women are in danger first in their own homes and that rape is perpetrated by ordinary men. In that sense, this trial has taught us nothing that we did not already know.
But it is the courage of Gisèle Pelicot that has forced us collectively to stop looking away. Now that the perpetrators have been convicted, what should we do?	But it is the courage of Gisèle Pelicot that has forced us collectively to stop looking away. Now that the perpetrators have been convicted, what should we do?
Rape is a massive social and structural phenomenon. As a lawyer who spends most of my time representing victims of rape, I know that these cases are primarily heard in assize courts and that they are so extremely numerous, these courts are overwhelmed.	Rape is a massive social and structural phenomenon. As a lawyer who spends most of my time representing victims of rape, I know that these cases are primarily heard in assize courts and that they are so extremely numerous, these courts are overwhelmed.
In practice, the perpetrators I see in court every day are just like the accused in the Mazan trial. What do they share? A belief that under certain circumstances they don’t need to restrain themselves when it comes to doing whatever they want to the body of an unconscious woman.	In practice, the perpetrators I see in court every day are just like the accused in the Mazan trial. What do they share? A belief that under certain circumstances they don’t need to restrain themselves when it comes to doing whatever they want to the body of an unconscious woman.
Victims, like Gisèle Pelicot, are ordinary women. And many of the women I represent in court have the same courage as Gisèle, refusing the option of having their cases heard in camera. After discussion, they frequently agree to go public and reject “huis clos” hearings. They want wider society to understand what they have endured and they know that justice carried out behind closed doors gives an advantage to the defendant.	Victims, like Gisèle Pelicot, are ordinary women. And many of the women I represent in court have the same courage as Gisèle, refusing the option of having their cases heard in camera. After discussion, they frequently agree to go public and reject “huis clos” hearings. They want wider society to understand what they have endured and they know that justice carried out behind closed doors gives an advantage to the defendant.
Combatting rape in France does require possible legislative reform; we must seriously consider introducing the concept of consent into criminal law, which currently lacks it.	Combatting rape in France does require possible legislative reform; we must seriously consider introducing the concept of consent into criminal law, which currently lacks it.
But that will not be enough. Only when our values have changed will women no longer be raped and men no longer become rapists. Consent must constitute the cornerstone of our romantic, marital and sexual relationships. Again and again, we must explain how respect for the physical integrity of each person is the very foundation of our relationships with others. To think that a simple legislative reform will resolve the issue is a delusion. Justice always intervenes too late.	But that will not be enough. Only when our values have changed will women no longer be raped and men no longer become rapists. Consent must constitute the cornerstone of our romantic, marital and sexual relationships. Again and again, we must explain how respect for the physical integrity of each person is the very foundation of our relationships with others. To think that a simple legislative reform will resolve the issue is a delusion. Justice always intervenes too late.
Anne Bouillon is a lawyer specialising in women’s rights	Anne Bouillon is a lawyer specialising in women’s rights
Anne Bouillon is a lawyer specialising in women’s rights	Anne Bouillon is a lawyer specialising in women’s rights
Victoire Tuaillon: Our sexist culture still encourages these crimes	Victoire Tuaillon: Our sexist culture still encourages these crimes
This is an important day for victims of sexual assault in France. But a lot of things still need to change. French society is only beginning to understand the normality of rapists: that rapists are men like any other, men who look like our brothers, our friends, our neighbours. Rape is a massive problem because it is such a common crime: at least 15% of women and 10% of children are victims, most of the time of men close to them, which means that there are a lot of rapists around.	This is an important day for victims of sexual assault in France. But a lot of things still need to change. French society is only beginning to understand the normality of rapists: that rapists are men like any other, men who look like our brothers, our friends, our neighbours. Rape is a massive problem because it is such a common crime: at least 15% of women and 10% of children are victims, most of the time of men close to them, which means that there are a lot of rapists around.
The acts committed in Mazan have also acted as a magnifying glass on masculinity. They reveal an extreme version of what many men find exciting: penetrating the body of an unconscious woman. They reflect a belief that many share: that they have the right to do what they want with the body of “their” wife, that their wife “owes” them sex and that any “opportunity” for sexual intercourse is good to take.	The acts committed in Mazan have also acted as a magnifying glass on masculinity. They reveal an extreme version of what many men find exciting: penetrating the body of an unconscious woman. They reflect a belief that many share: that they have the right to do what they want with the body of “their” wife, that their wife “owes” them sex and that any “opportunity” for sexual intercourse is good to take.
In this way, rape is a performance of masculinity that says: as a man I am superior to you, so I have the right to do what I want with your body whenever I want; I consider you and treat you as an object.	In this way, rape is a performance of masculinity that says: as a man I am superior to you, so I have the right to do what I want with your body whenever I want; I consider you and treat you as an object.
For some men, the fact of having themselves been victims of sexual violence and/or serious abuse in childhood seems to encourage them to act out.	For some men, the fact of having themselves been victims of sexual violence and/or serious abuse in childhood seems to encourage them to act out.
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The Pelicot trial should mean we collectively understand that rape happens because our entire culture encourages it; these crimes are rooted in a deeply sexist culture. We must address that problem at its root: which is to combat sexual inequality and take seriously all the clues and warning signs of sexual violence that attackers often indicate before committing such serious acts (sexist insults, harassment, and so on).	The Pelicot trial should mean we collectively understand that rape happens because our entire culture encourages it; these crimes are rooted in a deeply sexist culture. We must address that problem at its root: which is to combat sexual inequality and take seriously all the clues and warning signs of sexual violence that attackers often indicate before committing such serious acts (sexist insults, harassment, and so on).
As for shifting the weight of shame from victims to aggressors, as Gisèle Pelicot sought by waiving her anonymity, there is at least a chance of that now because everybody saw clearly in Avignon that even when you are the “irreproachable victim”, like Gisèle, rape trials are excruciating. As the victim, you have to repeatedly endure defence lawyers’ odious questioning and the defendants’ infuriating explanations and denials.	As for shifting the weight of shame from victims to aggressors, as Gisèle Pelicot sought by waiving her anonymity, there is at least a chance of that now because everybody saw clearly in Avignon that even when you are the “irreproachable victim”, like Gisèle, rape trials are excruciating. As the victim, you have to repeatedly endure defence lawyers’ odious questioning and the defendants’ infuriating explanations and denials.
Yet since 2017 (the beginning of the #MeToo movement) the number of rape complaints in France has multiplied. Women are coming out and denouncing what has happened to them. The problem is that France does not have the necessary public policies to properly respond to all of these allegations.	Yet since 2017 (the beginning of the #MeToo movement) the number of rape complaints in France has multiplied. Women are coming out and denouncing what has happened to them. The problem is that France does not have the necessary public policies to properly respond to all of these allegations.
We need major public policy reform to combat sexual violence. We need emotional, relationship and sexual education classes for all students, from kindergarten to high school. We need a massive plan for the detection of child abuse and the care of child victims. We need training plans for all professions in contact with victims: caregivers, police officers, teachers, judges and lawyers. Finally, we must think about what we do with rapists, since sending them to unsanitary prisons without care or proper rehabilitation helps no one.	We need major public policy reform to combat sexual violence. We need emotional, relationship and sexual education classes for all students, from kindergarten to high school. We need a massive plan for the detection of child abuse and the care of child victims. We need training plans for all professions in contact with victims: caregivers, police officers, teachers, judges and lawyers. Finally, we must think about what we do with rapists, since sending them to unsanitary prisons without care or proper rehabilitation helps no one.
Sentencing is never the most important issue for me, because I don’t think prison is always the appropriate punishment. What counts for me today is that these rapists were all found guilty.	Sentencing is never the most important issue for me, because I don’t think prison is always the appropriate punishment. What counts for me today is that these rapists were all found guilty.
Victoire Tuaillon is a French journalist, author and the host of the podcast Couilles sur la Table	Victoire Tuaillon is a French journalist, author and the host of the podcast Couilles sur la Table
Victoire Tuaillon is a French journalist, author and the host of the podcast Couilles sur la Table	Victoire Tuaillon is a French journalist, author and the host of the podcast Couilles sur la Table