France gang rape case enters final stages, victim Gisele says society needs to change the way it views rape

The victim of the gang rape case in France said on Tuesday (November 19) that it is time for the “macho” society to change its attitude towards rape. Gisele Pelicot’s statement comes as the trial, currently ongoing in the southern city of Avignon, enters its final stages and a verdict is expected next month. The 72-year-old woman said, “It is time for the macho, patriarchal society that trivializes rape to change.” “It’s time we changed the way we look at rape,” he told the court.

Gisele Pelicot’s ex-husband Dominique Pelicot and 49 other men have remained in court dockets for months since September over gang rape accusations.

As Gisele described her ordeal to the court, she said what happened to her would stay with her forever. “I don’t think I will ever feel at peace until the end of my life. I will learn to live with it. I will rebuild myself. But there will forever be 51 people who defiled me. And I will have to live with this for the rest of my life,” he said.

“This wound will never heal.”

The case involving 71-year-old abuser Dominique sparked nationwide protests in France and a debate about male violence in French society.

Watch: France: Mass Rape Case Reaches Final Stage

Earlier Monday, Dominique’s children also appeared in court, speaking of their heartbreak and grief.

His daughter also told the court that although she was charged, she was “forgotten”. However, Dominique denied abusing her daughter.

There are allegations that Dominique secretly filmed her son’s wives and leaked their nude photos on social media.

His daughter said, “The only difference between him and me is that there is no evidence about me. For me, this is a complete tragedy.”

“In your disgusting files,” he said to his father, “you don’t look at me the way a father looks at his daughter.”

David, 50, one of Dominique’s sons, said he was “the case of a whole family that was completely destroyed.”

The horror of gang rape in France turned Gisèle into a feminist icon; Gisèle refused to keep the case secret and went public to raise awareness.

(With input from institutions)