**Gisèle Pelicot Calls for Societal Change Amidst High-Profile Rape Trial**

**In a gripping courtroom testimony, Gisèle Pelicot reveals the trauma inflicted by her ex-husband and his accomplices while urging for a shift in societal attitudes towards rape in France.**

Gisèle Pelicot, the primary victim in a shocking mass rape case involving 51 defendants, has publicly condemned the pervasive "macho, patriarchal society" in France that she believes trivializes sexual assault. On the concluding day of her testimony, she referred to the ongoing trial as a "trial of cowardice" and stated that it is imperative for society to evolve. Having attended the trial since its inception in September, Pelicot chose to waive her anonymity, allowing her full narrative to unfold in the courtroom setting of Avignon.

Dominique Pelicot, her ex-husband, has admitted to orchestrating a horrific scheme where he allegedly recruited numerous men online to engage in sexual acts with her while she was drugged, a nightmare spanning nearly a decade. In her poignant opening statement, she acknowledged her choice to forgo a private trial, admitting, "I knew what I was signing up for," but later expressed her fatigue from the experience.

During the trial, a key question for defense lawyers was whether these men were manipulated into committing the acts by Dominique Pelicot. Ms. Pelicot emphasized that consent was absent, stating, "all came to rape me... all committed a crime" and demanded accountability from those denying their actions. The courtroom atmosphere became contentious as defense lawyer Nadia El-Bouroumi challenged Pelicot, questioning her emotions and alleged harshness towards the defendants.

Gisèle Pelicot shared the heart-wrenching impact of the abuse on her life, saying she felt as though she had lost ten years due to health issues stemming from the drugs administered to her without her consent. At the age of 72, she expressed urgency for change not only for herself but for future generations, declaring, "Today I want them to be proud of their grandmother."

In an unexpected turn, defense lawyers confronted her with disturbing evidence found on her ex-husband's laptop, which included partially naked photos of their daughter, igniting outrage among her family present in the courtroom. The interactions highlighted the complex emotional turmoil faced by victims and their families, with her daughter openly rebuking her father, who was visibly distressed during the proceedings.

Despite Dominique Pelicot admitting to the abuse, he denied any ownership of the manipulation claims made by his co-defendants, maintaining that they were merely attempting to excuse their actions. As the trial nears its conclusion, it serves as a critical moment in French society, raising significant conversations about consent, responsibility, and the systemic issues that continue to plague victims of sexual violence. The expected verdict in this unprecedented case is anticipated in December.