Gisèle Pelicot made headlines on December 19, 2024, and her story has the world talking. She said, “The shame is his,” and her words still echo in my mind. It feels strange writing about this, like a puzzle I can’t solve but must try. She was quiet for years, enduring what no one should, and now her voice speaks louder than ever.

The 72-year-old Frenchwoman shocked everyone when she testified against her husband, Dominique Pelicot, in court. He’s not just in jail—he’s serving 20 years. Gisèle didn’t hesitate when she explained why: for nearly a decade, Dominique drugged her. Then, dozens of men came into her home and violated her while she was unconscious. It’s unthinkable, isn’t it? But it happened, and there’s proof—over 20,000 videos Dominique kept hidden.
I can’t imagine watching even one second of such footage. Police only stumbled upon it by chance in 2020, after Dominique got arrested for trying to secretly film women under their skirts. That’s when investigators uncovered the horrific evidence of what he’d done to Gisèle. It was like opening a door to a nightmare nobody knew existed.
When the trial began in September 2024, Gisèle did something extraordinary. She refused to hide. “I want the world to know,” she told the court. Her words didn’t sound angry; they felt strong, like unmovable stone. She waived her anonymity, choosing instead to let her name become a symbol of courage. It takes guts to do that.
The men identified in the videos faced trial, too—fifty of them. Sentences ranged from three to fifteen years, but it’s Gisèle’s voice that left the deepest mark. Her testimony wasn’t just about her pain; it was about justice for every woman who’s been silenced. She said, “I needed society to see,” and it did. Outside the courthouse, people gathered to applaud her bravery.
Recovery is complicated, but Gisèle has started to rebuild. She’s not alone in this journey. Messages of support poured in from all over the world. Someone even sent her a handmade scarf, which she wore to court. Art inspired by her story now decorates walls in Avignon, where the trial was held. People talk about her like she’s a hero, but Gisèle would probably just say she did what was necessary.
Her decision to make the trial public changed conversations about sexual violence in France. It’s like she turned a light on in a dark room nobody wanted to look at. Calls to victim helplines have surged, and legal reforms are being discussed. Even the French President acknowledged her bravery, saying she’s inspired a nation.
Today, December 25, 2024, Gisèle continues to share her story, hoping to help others find their voice. She’s not focused on what she lost but on what she can create—a world where no one feels as trapped as she once did. “It’s not about me,” she insists. Yet, it’s impossible to ignore how her strength has moved so many people.
There’s talk of a movie or series about Gisèle’s life, though nothing’s confirmed. It’s not hard to see why filmmakers would be drawn to this story—it’s raw, real, and painfully human. Gisèle, however, seems more interested in the present than in how people might tell her story later.
Her question, “Why did I put my husband in jail?” is one she answered with action. Because it was right. Because silence isn’t justice. Because she deserved more than what life gave her. We all do.