In a show of solidarity for Ghislaine Pelicat’s fight against sexual harassment, both women and men gathered on Saturday in cities across Paris, France. The protest was in response to the investigation of her ex-husband and dozens of others who had raped her while she was incapacitated due to drugs for over a decade.
Demonstrations took place outside the Paris Criminal Court and in cities like Lyon, highlighting Pelicat's courage in discussing the struggles she has faced over the past decade, which has shocked and angered many.
Since the hearings began on September 2, Pelicat has confronted 51 rapists. While the court initially suggested keeping the hearings behind closed doors, she has received widespread praise for her decision to keep them open and to maintain her composure during the proceedings.
Elsa Laibert, a representative of the women's group "Osez le Féminisme!" (Dare to be Feminist!), commended Pelicat's choice to make the hearings public, focusing on the violence that many women endure. "Victims don’t have to do what she did, but what she has decided to do is very important because we cannot ignore the violence some men commit," Lambert stated.
Protesters held placards that read "Shame on the perpetrators," "Stop the denial," "Not your punching bag," and "We are all Ghislaine," condemning the negligence within the French judicial system regarding sexual violence.
Dominique Pelicat admitted in court that he had drugged his wife for nearly a decade and allowed other men to rape her while she was incapacitated, and he acknowledged that he himself had raped her.
Among the defendants, who ranged from 26 to 74 years old, many denied the allegations, claiming they were misled by Dominique or believed that Ghislaine had consented.
Supporters see Pelicat as a symbol of resilience and courage, with one protester, Khalil NDIAYE, stating, "She decided to fight, and she is inspiring us to fight too."