Gisèle Pelicot shares her gratitude post verdict
Yesterday morning, local time, an Avignon court found Dominique Pelicot, a 71-year-old man from Mazan and 50 co-accused, guilty of the rape of Pelicot’s wife Gisèle Pelicot.
The trial, heard by a panel of five judges led by presiding judge Roger Arata, began at the Judicial Court in Avignon on September 2, 2024
In an act of absolute bravery, Gisèle Pelicot allowed that the information to come out at the trial be witnessed by the public in the hope of stopping other such crimes.
After the verdicts were handed down, Gisèle Pelicot spoke to the press outside the court.
I’m very emotional
‘I’m here to say I’m very emotional. Please, if you could respect my emotional state as much as possible. Thank you.
‘It’s with a lot of emotion that I’m here to make a statement. This case was a very difficult test for me, and I’m thinking first and foremost of my three children, David, Caroline and Florian.
‘I’m also thinking about my grandchildren, because they are the future, and for them, I wanted to really put this struggle forward.
‘I’m thinking about all the other families affected by this case, and the non-recognized victims in these stories, that are often in the shadows. You must know ,you share my struggle.
My deepest gratitude
I’d like to express my gratitude, my deepest gratitude, to all the individuals who have supported me throughout this with the witness statements and the testimonials. This really gave me strength to come back day after day for this long trial.
I’d like to thank the Association for the Support of Victims who have supported me throughout, and all the journalists who have followed my case since its beginnings. I’d like to thank you and recognize the faithful and respectful treatment of the case that you have daily given.
‘My lawyers. I thank you. Thanks for supporting me throughout this long journey.
‘I wanted when I started on the second of September to ensure that society could actually see what was happening, and I never have regretted this decision. I have now faith in our capacity to collectively take hold of a future in which everybody, women, men, can live together in harmony, in respect and mutual understanding. Thank you.
When asked if she has anything to say about the sentences? Gisèle Pelicot said she respected the court. ‘I respect the decisions.’
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