Gisèle Pelicot Memoir Launches Globally
Gisèle Pelicot's memoir *A Hymn to Life* launched in 22 languages, earning strong critical acclaim as a "riveting account of her ordeal" and a unique work by a figure of "astonishing power." The memoir explores survival and resilience in raw, agenda-defying detail.
- The ordeal began in 2011 and continued for nearly a decade until September 2020, when Gisèle Pelicot's then-husband, Dominique, was arrested for taking upskirt photos of women in a supermarket. A police search of his computer revealed extensive video evidence of him and other men raping his wife while she was unconscious. - In November 2020, police showed Gisèle the images, revealing the devastating truth of what had been happening in her own home, often after her husband drugged her with sedatives mixed into her food and drinks. Until that moment, she had believed she was in a happy, loving marriage of nearly 50 years. - The trial against Dominique Pelicot and 50 other men began in September 2024. Gisèle Pelicot waived her right to anonymity and insisted on a public trial to raise awareness about drug-facilitated sexual assault and to encourage other victims to speak out. - In December 2024, her ex-husband was convicted of aggravated rape and sentenced to the maximum of 20 years in prison. Forty-nine other men were also convicted of rape, attempted rape, or sexual assault, receiving sentences from three to 15 years. - Pelicot's declaration in court that "Shame must change sides" became an international rallying cry against sexual violence. Her courage was praised by figures like Olympic gymnast Simone Biles and led to a broader reckoning over rape culture in France and globally. - For her advocacy and bravery, Pelicot was named the most noteworthy person of 2024 in a French opinion poll and was awarded the Legion of Honour, France's highest civic honor.
