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Before the verdict on the Mazan rapes, “thank you Gisèle”
“Thank you Gisèle”: the banner which floated Thursday morning in front of the Avignon courthouse, before the verdict of the historic Mazan rape trial, summarizes the message of gratitude from women and men towards the one who wanted “that the shame changes sides.” Since the start of this trial, almost four months ago, of the 51 men tried, most of them for aggravated rape of Gisèle Pelicot, the walls of this city in the south-east of France have been covered with collages against sexual violence and for women’s rights. The latest messages from the Amazones d’Avignon collective have been displayed since Wednesday evening: “Justice for all”, “Shame has changed sides, and justice?”, and the biggest, “Thank you”. “Rape concerns women from all over the world, that’s why the whole world has its eyes on what is going to happen”, estimates Ghislaine Sainte Catherine, one of the members of this feminist collective. Between these mobilizations against sexual violence, the rush of media , queuing since dawn to hoping to have one of the rare places reserved for the public and an important police force, the verdict is awaited with excitement. Unusual in terms of the number of accused and the alleged facts — a husband, Dominique Pelicot, who drugs his wife, Gisèle, for a decade, to rape her and have her raped in her marital home by dozens of strangers recruited on the internet–, this trial made the ravages of violence against women resonate widely. For having renounced behind closed doors, to which rape victims are entitled, and publicly facing the men accused of having raped her, Gisèle Pelicot, 72, has become a feminist icon.”Thanks to her, because for many women victims of rapes, the shame has now changed sides”, rejoices Pascale Plégal, computer engineer. – “Courage” -In front of the court, Thursday at dawn, a 69-year-old woman had been waiting, since 5:20 a.m., like every morning since the hearings began on September 2. Initially coming to discover the progress of a trial, Bernadette Teyssonières, retired from near Avignon, also expresses her gratitude and admiration for Gisèle Pelicot. “I am impressed by the courage this woman, who had suffered all this for ten years, had to come out in the open,” she confided to AFP, “the shame must rest on the attackers” .Like dozens of other people, in the room of the court, she applauded her, day after day. But, on this day of verdict, Bernadette is not sure of having a place in the room of retransmission, because the media of the world everyone rushed to Avignon. There are nearly 180 accredited people, including 86 foreigners, some with several journalists. Many police officers will also be present in and around the courtroom, as 32 co-defendants appear free but could be taken directly to prison if convicted. But for her, more than the verdict against these men aged 27 to 74 and of all the social backgrounds judged in this affair, it is “everything that happened before in the trial which will remain the most important”: “Trying to understand how this gentleman got there, why men, when they are arrived in Ms. Pelicot’s room, still continued their act while she was inert, instead of leaving immediately.” She hopes that this trial will allow the question of consent to be discussed more openly and widely within families , respect for everyone in sexuality. Hugo Mazure, an 18-year-old political science student, arrived at the court at 5:25 a.m. for this crucial day. Over the past year and a half, he’s been reading more about feminism and this trial has made him think even more about his actions as a man. “Thank you! She is clearly a symbol of a struggle which is enormous and thanks to her we will have progress!” iw/dac/siu/ol/bow
