PARIS, Sept 14 (Askume) – Hundreds of people, mostly women, gathered in cities across France on Saturday to support Giselle Pellicot, whose husband is accused of drugging her and demanding that dozens of strangers rape her in a case that has shocked the country.
Feminist groups called around 30 meetings in cities from Marseille to Paris, with banners reading “Support Giselle” and “Victims, we believe you” on the Place de la République.
Her extraordinary story has spread across France since the trial began earlier this month and Pellicot, 72, has now become a symbol of France’s fight against sexual violence.
His lawyers said it was his decision to insist on a public rather than private trial, which is scheduled to last until December and is aimed at alerting the public to sexual abuse and drug-induced comas.
“We thank them a thousand times for their indomitable courage,” Fatima Benomar, a women’s rights activist from the “Koudes a Koudes” organisation, told BFM television. She said the rally was also organised to show support for rape victims.
Dominic Pellicott, 71, is accused of drugging his wife multiple times over more than a decade and allowing strangers to rape her in their home.
He was scheduled to testify this week but was absent due to ill health. If he is able, he is expected to testify on Monday.
In Marseille, where about 200 protesters gathered in front of the Palace of Justice, artist Lou Salome Patouillard, 41, said: “I’m here to support Gisele and all women, because there are a lot of Gisele, a lot of Gisele.
Prosecutors said Pellicott provided sexual services to his wife on a website and filmed the abuse. Fifty other people accused of participating in the abuse are also on trial.
Pellicot’s lawyer Beatrice Zavaro told French media that Pellicot had pleaded guilty. According to French media reports, some of the other defendants have pleaded guilty, while others have said they believe Gisele Pellicot pretended to be asleep and that she participated voluntarily.
If convicted, each of them faces up to 20 years in prison.
