Gisèle Pelicot has shared a powerful and poignant message as the world marks International Women’s Day.
The French grandmother told sexual violence survivors they are ‘the true heroes’ and ‘must know they will never be alone’.
Gisèle, 72, become a global hero and feminist icon after waiving her anonymity during a rape and sexual assault trial against her ex-husband, Dominique Pelicot and 50 other men.
She has now been named the Most Influential Woman of 2025 by The Independent, topping a list of 50 women from across the world who ‘push boundaries and break down barriers to shape the world around them’.
In December, Dominique was found guilty of secretly giving his now ex-wife sedatives over an almost ten year period so he could rape her and invite other men to do the same while she was unconscious and unaware.
Out of the 50 men on trial, 46 were found guilty of rape, two guilty of attempted rape, and two guilty of sexual assault.
Gisèle, who attended almost every day of the three-month court case in Avignon, south east France, said she decided to reveal who she was so ‘shame swaps sides’, from the victim to the rapist.
The case gained widespread international attention and sparked several protests against sexual violence, in particular sexual violence experienced by girls and women at the hands of men.
Gisèle became a symbol of strength and empowerment for victims, with people in the street singing ‘from the women of all the world, we thank you’.
Gisèle’s lawyer, Stephane Babonneau, said his client was ’emotional’ and ‘humbled’ to learn she had been named The Most Influential Woman of 2025.
He added: ‘Gisèle is honoured and wishes to dedicate this recognition to all victims, and more specifically to those who are fighting alone to get their rights and the truth acknowledged by courts.
‘To these victims, who most often remain in the dark, Gisèle wishes to express her admiration, because she thinks they are the true heroes, and [to] tell [them] that they must know they will never be alone.’
Dominique, a former electrician, was handed a maximum 20-year prison sentence for his crimes.
(Picture: Reuters)
Most of his fellow perpetrators received significantly lower sentences.
Although Gisèle has always come across as a tower of strength, she has previously said that behind her facade ‘lies a field of ruins’.
The couple’s daughter Caroline Darian believes she was also drugged and potentially sexually abused by her father – something he denies – after two photos were found of her sleeping in an unfamiliar position and wearing underwear she doesn’t recognise.
In a newly published book titled ‘So That We May Remember’, she says a rift has developed between her and her mother because Gisèle is ‘reluctant’ to believe her claims against Dominque.
