French prime minister lauds Gisèle Pelicot's ‘incredible courage’ in historic rape case
French Prime Minister Michel Barnier has praised Gisèle Pelicot for her "incredible courage" following his visit to a women's clinic in a Paris hospital.
He also announced that the government would provide additional funds to support victims of domestic violence. 33,000 payments have already been made in this context.
"The funds provided by the government for emergency medical aid have been increased by over 7 million euros this year. Since last year, victims of domestic violence have been entitled to financial support so that they can leave their homes, find accommodation and cover their daily expenses."
By the end of 2025, the procedure for filing complaints about domestic violence is also to be simplified.
"Several hospitals have already started this and we will extend it because we want to offer systematic support to every victim in a safe place."
The French public prosecutor's office demanded the maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for Gisèle Pelicot's ex-husband. Dominic Pelicot has admitted to repeatedly drugging his wife and inviting men he had recruited online to rape her without her knowledge. The offences took place between 2011 and 2020.
The trial has been running for almost three months and involves 51 defendants. The court is expected to announce its verdict before 20 December.
While Dominique Pélicot pleaded guilty, many of his co-defendants denied having raped Gisèle Pélicot and claimed that they had been manipulated or had the impression that she had given her consent.
Gisèle Pélicot, who waived her right to anonymity during the trial, became an icon for activists fighting against sexual violence.
Dozens of feminist activists performed a haka, the traditional Maori war dance, during the trial in the French city of Avignon.
The activists also held up purple smoke flares and banners that read: ‘Stop the culture of silence’, ‘Support for Gisèle’, ‘One for all, all for one’ and ‘Shame changes sides’.
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