Gisele Pelicot, the French grandmother who became a global symbol of courage after waiving her anonymity during the trial of her rapist ex-husband, has been honoured at a star-studded awards ceremony in London.
asserted
who → become → London
The 73-year-old received the Woman of Courage award at the Women of the Year Awards, dedicating the honour to victims of sexual violence around the world.
asserted
old → receive → world
Ms Pelicot, whose extraordinary bravery in confronting the men who abused her inspired millions, joined actress Sienna Miller and journalist Diane Kenwood at London's Royal Lancaster Hotel for the prestigious event.
asserted
who → confront → event
Accepting the award, she said: 'It is an honour to receive this award.
asserted
It → accept → award
People call me courageous but I accepted this award for all women victims of sexual violence.
asserted
I → call → violence
I could not keep this award just for me, it is for all women.'
uncertain
it → keep → women
Her appearance comes almost two years after the conclusion of a harrowing trial in France which exposed how her husband of nearly 50 years had secretly drugged her and invited dozens of strangers to rape her while she was unconscious.
asserted
she → come → her
Dominique Pelicot was jailed for 20 years in December 2024 after admitting to orchestrating the horrific abuse, which continued for almost a decade at the couple's home in southern France.
asserted
which → jail → France
A further 50 men were convicted of rape or other sexual offences following the three-and-a-half-month trial in Avignon.
asserted
men → convict → Avignon
Ms Pelicot, whose extraordinary bravery in confronting the men who abused her inspired millions, joined actress Sienna Miller and journalist Diane Kenwood at London's Royal Lancaster Hotel for the prestigious event
(L to R) Winners and presenters Mel Giedroyc, Claire James, Laura Youngson, Charlotte Hawkins, Jo Slater, Lindsay Burrow, Annie Moody, Michaela Strachan, Nicole Roseman, Dr Anne-Marie Imafidon, Dame Prue Leith, Leni Savva, Dame Lesley Regan, Aisling Zarraga, Binhui Shao, Sarah Burrows, Gisele Pelicot, Sienna Miller, Mrinalini Rai, Monica Galetti, Alex Aungler, Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, Louise Bullman, Tara Warren, Diane Kenwood and Sheli McCoy
Rather than remain anonymous, Ms Pelicot insisted the proceedings should be held in public, declaring that shame must change sides from victims to perpetrators.
asserted
shame → confront → perpetrators
Her decision transformed the case into a defining moment in the fight against sexual violence, sparking demonstrations in her support and earning her admiration across the globe.
But despite becoming an international figure of strength and resilience, Ms Pelicot insists she has never considered herself particularly brave.
Speaking to ITV News ahead of the ceremony, she said: 'It is true that I never really felt courageous, but I had to seek deep down the resources in me to be able to fight for this struggle.
'
asserted
I → transform → struggle
And I really wanted to face the abusers during the trial.
asserted
I → want → trial
She also issued a stark warning about websites and online platforms used to facilitate sexual abuse, describing them as a 'plague on society' and demanding tougher action to shut them down.
asserted
She → issue → them
'The platforms are an issue because every time you've got a platform that is shut down, a new one appears straight after...
asserted
one → get → platform
I think it is very important to keep an eye and watch all those platforms and close them as soon as they appear.'
asserted
they → think → them
She added: 'Society and everybody needs to be aware of that and to act.'
asserted
Society → add → that
The horrific crimes only came to light after Dominique Pelicot was caught filming up women's skirts in a supermarket in November 2020.
asserted
Pelicot → come → November
(L to R) Sienna Miller, Gisele Pelicot, winner of The Women of the Year Woman of Courage Award, and Diane Kenwood
French author Gisele Pelicot (C), German actor Collien Fernandes (L) and German journalist Dunja Hayali pose for media with their awards
Police subsequently discovered thousands of photographs and videos documenting the abuse of his wife, who had no recollection of the attacks.
asserted
who → pose → attacks
Investigators found that he had recruited men through the internet to assault her while she was heavily sedated.
asserted
she → find → her
Ms Pelicot told ITV News that the trial had helped other victims find the confidence to speak out, although she warned there was still a long way to go.
asserted
she → tell → confidence
'Shame is changing sides but I think there is still a long way to go before women can free themselves from the chains that prevent them from talking.
asserted
that → change → them
They don't know where to find support.
asserted
They → know → support
Women need to keep fighting, they need to have a voice, they need to denounce what is happening.
asserted
what → need → voice
She added: 'I think that the trial gave women a voice.
asserted
trial → add → voice
I think women had lost confidence, they had lost their dignity.
asserted
they → think → dignity
Her determination has also won the admiration of Queen Camilla, who welcomed her to Clarence House in February and praised her 'extraordinary dignity'.
asserted
who → win → dignity
Recalling their meeting, Ms Pelicot said: 'It was a beautiful meeting.
asserted
It → recall → meeting
I met a woman who is very committed into issues related to violence against women especially domestic abuse.
asserted
who → meet → women
'She is very sincere and I have a lot of respect for this woman because she is nurturing.
asserted
she → have → woman
I think we had a very rich and excellent conversation.'
asserted
we → think → conversation
Earlier this year, Ms Pelicot published her memoir, A Hymn to Life, recounting her ordeal and her determination to rebuild her life.
asserted
Pelicot → publish → life
She has since found love again and said she refuses to allow the crimes committed against her to dictate her future.
asserted
crimes → find → future
'I think it's important not to look back.
asserted
it → think → ?
Once you've been through what you've been through you need to allow yourself to be happy...
asserted
yourself → allow → what
I never imagined I could fall in love with this young 73 year old man.
uncertain
I → imagine → man
This happened to me and life is still sending me beautiful signs.'
asserted
life → happen → signs
She has also revealed that she intends to visit her former husband in prison to confront him about the suffering he inflicted on their family.
asserted
he → reveal → family
When I face him, I want to ask him Why.
asserted
I → face → him
Why did you inflict all that suffering to me and our family?
asserted
you → inflict → me
And did you realise the harm that you were causing us.'
asserted
you → realise → us
…and 4 more, not listed.
The Aporia
