This column contains mentions of sexual violence. Reader discretion is advised.
Gisèle Pelicot’s world turned for the worse in 2020. Her husband, Dominique Pelicot, was arrested in September 2020 for reports of filming up women’s skirts. This led to an investigation where a multitude of videos of him and 49 other men sexually abusing a heavily sedated woman were found. It was then proven Gisèle Pelicot was the woman in these videos.
Instead of growing in shame due to this betrayal, Gisèle Pelicot flipped her abuse narrative in her book, “A Hymn to Life: Shame Has to Change Sides.” She took back her life, and her experience in doing so shouldn’t be overlooked.
After the traumatizing realization of the events, Gisèle Pelicot never saw her husband’s face until four years later, in 2024, for his trial. She thoughtstaying anonymous through the trial, but she said the thought of hiding behind the horrifying acts felt oppressive. Gisèle Pelicot knew that if any women walked into the courtroom, they would feel less alone.
Her bravery was captured in the courtroom as she opened the doors to the public. The world followed this case and sat alongside Gisèle Pelicot, producing strong emotions on social media. People posted #giselepelicot on X, and voiced their anger and support about the case. Someone even wrote, “Gisele Pelicot. Words fail me. What an incredible woman.” This was her life, and she set herself in that courtroom as an example for every woman and survivor.
Violence against women isn’t a new subject, and it shouldn’t be a normalized one. In November 2025, UN Women reported that 840 million women, almost 1 in 3, suffered intimate partner violence at least once in their lifetime. This horrifying number is only increasing, and society is far from finding the ability to decrease it.
Outside the courtroom, Gisèle Pelicot’s impact from her husband’s case spread all over the streets of France. Protesters marched in support of her and wrote on every wall, saying “Justice pour Gisèle,” or “Justice for Gisèle.” The world was on her side, fighting the battle many other women have faced before.
Dominique Pelicot now serves 20 years in prison, the maximum sentence; however, some men got off with a slap on the wrist. Jacques C., who was a part of this long list of men, received a five-year suspended prison sentence.
This is what happens to evil men. Society sees their horrific acts, but because of their gender, it also sees sympathy for the abuser.
We have seen many sexual assault cases swept under the rug. For example, Larry Nassar, the a former medical physician for USA Gymnastics was convicted of multiple child abuse allegations. Yet, the Department of Justice claimed the FBI failed to produce a proper investigation when claims were first made. Nassar abused his position of power for decades.
This is the reason so many women refuse to report their abuse. While Gisèle Pelicot’s husband was hit with the most damage, her other abusers, who hurt her equally as much, get to roam the world with ease. Every day, people walk past each other, and one of them could be convicted of sexual abuse but is free from charges. This unsettling fear should scare you.
The Women & Girl Network cracked the myth that many believe rape to be horrific, yet it remains uncommon. However, it found nearly 50% to 90% of women don’t report rape to the police. “Given how common rape is, the level of reporting to the police is very low,“ The Women & Girl Network said.
Gisèle Pelicot’s journey didn’t end in sadness and lost hope. She found love again, and when interviewed by The New York Times, she said, “That, too, is a message of hope: to tell yourself that at 73 years old, you can still live a love story.”
Change is happening, and it has been happening for years. Hope after struggle is never lost, but it can be hard since President Donald Trump is identified more than 38,000 times in the Epstein files, according to The New York Times. The face of our country represents more than the U.S., but the faces of millions of women who he hurt.
The country being led by a man who is a convicted sex offender makes the battle for justice for survivors even more difficult than before. Yet, never impossible, as shown through Gisèle Pelicot’s resilience, women are some of the strongest people to walk among us.
There are resources available here at Ohio University. You are never alone.
Natalie Saddler is a sophomore studying journalism at Ohio University. Please note the opinions expressed in this column do not represent those of The Post. Want to talk to Natalie about their column? Email them at ns505423@ohio.edu.
