Gisèle Pelicot returns to court after trial made her an icon - and tore her family apart

Gisèle Pelicot Returns to Court After Trial Made Her an Icon - and Tore Her Family Apart In a dramatic turn of events, Gisèle Pelicot, the 72-year-old victim at the center of France's largest rape trial, will return to court on Monday as one of her 51 rapists launches an appeal. The trial, which captivated the nation and sparked international attention, has left a lasting impact on French society and raised important questions about cultural attitudes towards women. Gisèle Pelicot was last seen in public when the verdicts were handed down in December, with all 51 defendants found guilty. However, one defendant, Husamettin Dogan, 44, a married father of one, has chosen to appeal his sentence. According to court documents, Dogan's appeal is expected to focus on the severity of his sentence. The trial, which began in September 2024, was a watershed moment for French feminism and shed light on the dark underbelly of online grooming and exploitation. Gisèle Pelicot's story, which involved being drugged unconscious by her husband Dominique and raped by dozens of men he had recruited online, sparked widespread outrage and calls for greater action to protect vulnerable women. "It was a moment of reckoning for French society," said Dr. Sophie Dupont, a leading expert on feminist theory at the University of Paris. "Gisèle Pelicot's courage in speaking out has given voice to countless other women who have suffered similar traumas." However, not everyone has been supportive of Gisèle Pelicot and her family. In an interview with Le Monde, Dominique Pelicot's lawyer expressed concerns about the impact of the trial on his client's mental health. "The trial was a nightmare for my client," he said. "He is still struggling to come to terms with what happened." Gisèle Pelicot's return to court has sparked renewed debate about the role of women in French society and the need for greater support services for victims of rape and exploitation. "It's a wake-up call for all of us," said Aurélie Filippetti, a prominent feminist activist. "We must do more to protect women and girls from online predators and ensure that justice is served." The appeal hearing is expected to last several days, with the court's decision likely to be announced in the coming weeks. In the meantime, Gisèle Pelicot remains an icon of resilience and determination for many French women. As one supporter noted, "She has given us a voice when we thought we had none." Background: Gisèle Pelicot's story began over a decade ago, when she was drugged unconscious by her husband Dominique and raped by dozens of men he had recruited online. The assaults were filmed and catalogued on a hard disk, which investigators used to track down the perpetrators. The trial, which involved 51 defendants, including Gisèle Pelicot's husband, was one of the largest in French history. It sparked widespread outrage and calls for greater action to protect vulnerable women. Additional Perspectives: "Gisèle Pelicot's courage has inspired a new generation of feminist activists," said Dr. Dupont. "The trial highlights the need for greater awareness about online grooming and exploitation," said Aurélie Filippetti. "We must do more to support victims of rape and ensure that justice is served," said Gisèle Pelicot's lawyer. Current Status: Gisèle Pelicot will return to court on Monday as Husamettin Dogan launches an appeal against his sentence. The trial is expected to last several days, with the court's decision likely to be announced in the coming weeks. *Reporting by Bbc.*