Gisèle Pelicot Honored with France's Highest Award for Courage in Sexual Assault Case

In a remarkable display of valor, Gisèle Pelicot has been named a knight of the Legion of Honour, France’s highest distinction, for her courageous public testimony during her mass-rape trial against her husband, Dominique Pelicot.

Gisèle Pelicot, the 72-year-old woman who gained significant international attention following her heart-wrenching testimony in a mass-rape trial last year, has received France's top honor: the Legion of Honour. Her name was included in the announcement ahead of Bastille Day celebrations. Pelicot made headlines when she openly waived her right to anonymity during the trial, wherein she accused her husband of drugging and raping her while involving nearly 50 men in the abuse over a period of almost a decade.

The trial, which reached a conclusion last December, resulted in Dominique Pelicot being sentenced to a maximum of 20 years in prison for aggravated rape after admitting his crimes. Pelicot consistently attended the trial proceedings and has expressed a desire to empower other sexual assault survivors by stating, "I want all women who have been raped to say: Madame Pelicot did it, I can too." She is committed to reshaping societal shame, shifting the stigma from the victim to the perpetrator.

French President Emmanuel Macron honored Pelicot for her exceptional courage and resilience, recognizing her as a pioneering figure whose dignity has inspired many both in France and worldwide. Furthermore, Pelicot’s story is set to be chronicled in a memoir expected to be published early next year, offering insights into her experiences.