Gisèle Pelicot Honored with France's Legion of Honour for Bravery

Gisèle Pelicot, a 72-year-old survivor of mass rape, has been awarded the prestigious Legion of Honour for her courageous stance against her abuser and her advocacy for other survivors.

Gisèle Pelicot, a French woman who gained global attention for her courageous testimony during a mass-rape trial, has been awarded France's highest honour, the Legion of Honour, ahead of Bastille Day. The 72-year-old decided to waive her right to anonymity to publicly share her harrowing experience, in which her husband drugged and raped her, along with approximately 50 men over a span of nearly ten years.

Pelicot was one of 589 recipients recognized for their contributions to society and her acknowledgment comes after she steadfastly attended the trial, which concluded in December. Her husband, Dominique Pelicot, was sentenced to 20 years in prison for aggravated rape following his admission of drugging her and facilitating her abuse while she was incapacitated.

"My hope is to inspire all women who have been victimized to come forward and reclaim their voices," Pelicot stated previously, emphasizing her desire to shift the stigma of shame from victims to perpetrators. French President Emmanuel Macron praised her for her bravery, noting that her "dignity and courage" resonated deeply with both France and the global community.

According to her legal representative, Pelicot is also set to publish a memoir that chronicles her story, expected to release early next year, further contributing to the ongoing conversation about rape culture and survivors' rights in France.