Gisele Pelicot is an incredible woman and a hero for her nerve in bringing all those rapists to justice and for knowing the shame does not lie worth her — bravely declining anonymity was incredible.
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(Turning off notifications. If you’re a man and you think “wow, what monsters,” yet fail to realize some of these people exist in your friends, coworkers, etc, then you are part of the problem. Every woman knows these men. You do too, but you like to think you don’t. Open your eyes. Thanks.)
They study serial rapists, and when they make a comment and the men around them don't call them out, they believe it's because you're a secret rapist, too. That's truly, actually what they believe - about you.
Your work buddy isn't going to say it. But yes, he thinks you're in the secret club.
Going through this case has been heartbreaking. She had to do this because she had to protect her family. I hope we will remember her bravery for a long time.
These men were strangers. They were neighbors. Acquaintances. Church goers & atheists. Family men. Young men. Old men. Professional men. Single men, married men. Taxi drivers & plumbers. Fathers and grandfathers. Nice men.
This woman should have been on the cover of @timemagazine.bsky.social. Instead they chose to feature the man found liable of “sexual assault”. Shame they on them.
They knew she was unconscious and they knew they were raping her. They literally answered an advert posted by her husband inviting them to rape her while unconscious.
yes I know i'm just pointing out the ridiculousness of their argument.
like if you are having sex with me you know that I am enjoying it or not.
so what kind of argument is "I didn't know this person I didn't speak to/who didn't move was unconscious"
She is incredible. I hope she is given some major awards for her courage & for shining public light on the normalization of misogyny, women as objects & rape culture in the West.
The applause & welcome she received as she left the court made me weep.
There are no monsters, there are horrible humans, and they are indeed.
There can't be any of these in my friends, but coworkers of course, you don't choose them.
Then maybe that's why I have mostly women friends.
What's just as sickening is that one of the defendants (out of this 50 who raped her) said it WASN'T rape because he had the HUSBAND'S permission. In his mind, an unconscious woman's permission is not needed
You mean people can CHOOSE whether they want tea or not? There was a phrase for that... what was it...ahhh.. oh yeah ...a person's 'right to choose'. Well, I never!
I listened to a podcast about her story just today. She's a hero. What an unbelievably horrific story; and to muster the courage to go public--videos and all. Wow. Can't say I've ever heard of anything more courageous.
Indeed! At a time when sexual assault is being condoned, and rapists are being put on pedestals (dafuq?),… this shero is throwing down the gauntlet on these demons dycks!
There's a reason for that: it was feminists themselves who had removed it in the past. Because courts insisted on proving consent. Without the question of consent, it was 'easier' to obtain a conviction.
I'm not saying it was a good idea; I'm saying it wasn't intended to be harmful.
I hate it that this happens. Rapists should be sentenced to castration. Then they might understand what it is like to be violated. That woman's husband should suffer every day of his miserable life.
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Unimaginable what she endured. The betrayal she must feel, the abuse she felt.
But she stood up, stood out and 50 cowardly me were convicted. Those men stood no chance against a woman like her... which is why they did what they did
This brave, strong & dignified lady must be awarded the Legion d'Honneur, not for the horrific treatment she endured from the "man" she trusted most, but for her dignified and courageous fight for ALL women and girls who suffer such disrespect at the hands of such creatures.
I feel ashamed to be one
Yes! With so many men involved, the information came from somewhere: other men. There is no doubt these were bro to bro conversations and MANY more knew about it, even if they didn't accept the invitation. There were men all around her who knew what was happening to her and said nothing.
Notice the only person you can name in that case is a woman. That's why she isn't held to the same standard because to do that they would have to name the men who actually raped the children.
Indeed, I applaud her courage. This atrocious case gives us a unique insight into the mechanisms that perpetrators use to try to justify their actions. One of those justifications was that the husband had given consent. A window into the land of misogyny.
A BBC story on NPR this morning stressed the perps came from all walks of life, all ages & racially diverse.
I had to remind myself this is a self-selecting group light-years removed from the moral norms of the men I know best. There are men, and there are monsters that barely qualify as human.
You are right men aren't latent rapists. However it isn't a small minority of men who rape women. It isn't something they can't control it's what they choose to be.
Thanks Lex. Violence has been the Achilles’ Heel of humanity since our inception. Should we insist, “Men will be men,” as if this were an ineluctable default condition, is to already throw in the towel.
We’re not fallen Angels. We’re risen pond scum. I believe we can rise higher.
Paris Hilton said it best (and I'm paraphrasing) but she said something to the effect of..."The shame lies with those that wronged you." Let's stop blaming victims. Never in my life did I think I would get sage advice from Paris Hilton.
I’m seeing so much hatred from men now. Some have this fantasy of women being slaves and are angry because they won’t accept this. It’s sad. Good men didn’t treat their wife’s like that. Slavery is illegal.
They hid their faces. Had face masks on & such. They're not ashamed of what they did-its more about their foul egos. They cant hide what they did to a jury nor in prison.They'll get what's coming to them.
She is, I just posted about my sculpture in progress, I wanted something solid and permanent to remember her. We will need to draw on her strength in the future.
If we had true justice, each one of those animals would have their balls sliced off with a dull butter knife for the HORROR they inflicted upon this innocent woman!
She is the optimate of what we all should strive to be. In this world of western authoritarianism, Gisele reminds us all of what is at stake. I will stand to fight for her honour and to everyone else who strives to do what is right for all.
I love human intelligence because, unlike the typical lizard brain that cares only about itself, the finest human minds care about the wellbeing of others even though it might jeopardize their own wellbeing. It is called altruism and it is found only in the finest minds.
over 70 men. i cannot get that out of my head. The fact that her husband was able to find these men so easily is only one of the things that keeps me up at night.
The trust broken and was never questioned is what boggles my mind. And to learn this is more common then we realize is another fear to add to the list of ongoing shit females have to be aware of. My great niece just had her first assault @ 14!!! I say first because it never ends.
That's what really stood out to me. I think patriarchy has so deeply infiltrated society to the point where the average person would cognitively recognize that she's the victim, while also still holding space for shame.
It's such a bold and inspiring statement to concretely say "no, it's theirs"
💪🏻💯Look what happens when you do the RIGHT thing♡. The right thing isn't always the easiest thing. She had no idea how her courageous act would affect so many people and all the love & support she'd receive in return.
And all those rapists have been named and shamed on X by one of our British journalists, let the world know who they are instead of hiding with their hoods over their faces
The BBC this morning had a French correspondent advise as a direct result of #GisellePelicot a NINE year old survivor of rape has refused anonymity too.
I fear you've misread! Madame Pelicot's very public case in the news, according to the French correspondent, inspired the child; aged 9 years old, to set anonymity to one side when when recently reporting rape to the authorities. Cori referred to the child raped in her response.
As when AIDS crossed into family life, the only thing that turned things around was openness; ridding ourselves of coy modesty; we need direct, frank education on, consent in all stages of sexual congress, what it is, why it's vital, when it starts, being honest & rechecking frequently. 2nd nature.
That’s the difference between our country and France. At least in France when a woman comes forward, they believe her. In this country, they make him President.
She’s the only one in that mess with any REAL balls. An incredible woman. This is what true courage looks like- we don’t see much of it anymore. BRAVA!!!! 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
She absolutely should have been TIME person of the year. I know they always do the president-elect, and generally for good reason, but this could have been a multi-pronged statement. Snub the nazi and turn the conversation toward a true hero.
They need to name, shame, and provide photos of every rapist ... every single one of them, for every single victim. Time to start shaming perpetrators rather than their victims.
Ah, got it. Agree; they should be named and shamed. When I was studying law in England, there was a study done with youth offenders. It asked what punishment would have acted as a deterrent. The response-public shaming. Not sure if this would still be accurate, but that always stayed with me.
Not long ago a young woman in India, on a bus was set upon by a gang of men who viciously raped her, she died! India said ‘never again’ empty words. More women than ever raped. Government in France will do nothing just ‘wordsmiths’. Gisele is a Shero for just today.🥲. Men start to again tomorrow!
Why aren't the 'men', that claim to love us women, speaking about this? Why don't they support this Hero? Why aren't the 'men' outraged? Why don't 'men' speak out when women are killed, abused and disrespected?
The saddest thing of all is she was married to that evil skin sack forever and never suspected he was drugging and raping her so that's a first class sociopath on display. Twenty years in prison and he'll be a star in his cell block until the shank comes for him.
Every time I’ve visited France the thought ‘French dudes are so weird’ occurs to me almost daily. I think there’s a natural perversion amongst their male culture. The only comparison (personally) is that feeling you get amongst men in rural America. Quite odd.
I hope they still investigate the other rapists filmed on his phone and find and prosecute them. Also, why did any of the offenders get light sentences, or walk free?
If you look on the BBC news site there's a list of all the rapists, name, age, occupation and one of them is HIV positive - all used no condom during their rapes, I fear that Gisele may now have HIV, and wose a rapist has given it to others now as well.
She is. I followed this case from the onset. Any feelings of shame from publicly bring this lawsuit do not compare to the awful abuse and resulting trauma caused by her husband and his co-criminals.
Her nerve is made from Wisdom, Truth, Grace. She knows this is not hers to carry and she refuses to carry the shame of Men. This is the learning -> men do horrible things. We will not suffer for it. Let them suffer under the burden of their shame.
Gisele Pelicot is indeed extraordinary under the most monstrous of circumstances. I can’t even imagine that demonic level of betrayal and horror. What a woman!!!!
Just found out about this yesterday listening to the NYT The Daily podcast. If you were driving beside me you most certainly saw my mouth wide opened for about 30 miles. Incredibly brave woman.
Mme. Pelicot's Wikipedia page described her as "French Rape Victim." I updated it (didn't know you could just do that) to read "Multiple rape survivor, courageous champion for Justice, and national hero." I don't know that I got it right, but it's an improvement.
Over 50 men. They got convicted but I find their sentences pretty light compared to what the laws recommend. Not to mention the copycat who only got 12 years. Let’s be clear in France, 12 years means maybe 6 at most. That’s nothing for the trauma these men caused: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c785nm5g5y1o.amp
It’s fitting that her soon to be jailed husband will be raped repeatedly by more than twenty men much like he did to his wife. She is brave and strong and he is a piece of shiiiiiit
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Sorry, but that's not the the way it it works. Stop generalizing, as hard as it may be even to imagine.
Your work buddy isn't going to say it. But yes, he thinks you're in the secret club.
But it could be any man.
These men were strangers. They were neighbors. Acquaintances. Church goers & atheists. Family men. Young men. Old men. Professional men. Single men, married men. Taxi drivers & plumbers. Fathers and grandfathers. Nice men.
Do you know men like these?
None of us truly know a person, or there wouldn't be so much domestic violence.
Here is a list of the convicted men.
See how normal they are.
Let the blame change side
Her courage is off the scale.
That comment about shame changing sides is something I'll always remember - she did it.
https://bsky.app/profile/lunabelle.bsky.social/post/3ldg2i5wvwc2n
like if they are not moving or speaking or opening their eyes you should check if they're ok.
like if you are having sex with me you know that I am enjoying it or not.
so what kind of argument is "I didn't know this person I didn't speak to/who didn't move was unconscious"
The applause & welcome she received as she left the court made me weep.
There can't be any of these in my friends, but coworkers of course, you don't choose them.
Then maybe that's why I have mostly women friends.
Incredibly brave!
What is consent? Here's a reminder, in case you forgot.
https://youtu.be/fGoWLWS4-kU?si=L7DxjZlB59QZAAve
You mean people can CHOOSE whether they want tea or not? There was a phrase for that... what was it...ahhh.. oh yeah ...a person's 'right to choose'. Well, I never!
The fact that the rape law in France doesn’t even have consent as a provision is horrifying.
Hopefully, she is the catalyst for the change so desperately needed - not only in France.
I'm not saying it was a good idea; I'm saying it wasn't intended to be harmful.
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Unimaginable what she endured. The betrayal she must feel, the abuse she felt.
But she stood up, stood out and 50 cowardly me were convicted. Those men stood no chance against a woman like her... which is why they did what they did
Cowards, filth, horrible men
I feel ashamed to be one
Let's stop leaving that part out.
https://app.theneweuropean.co.uk/2024/10/26/viva-gisele-pelicot-my-che-guevara/content.html?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR1CWjlZSebUIoUMwlOzoDguMM5rq54Flds6MxRTLgCgW07Jm9tMLwDgWcE_aem_2NkmSrVJHSTd3S-tCs2h0g
And more than a decade.
It says plenty about men.
I had to remind myself this is a self-selecting group light-years removed from the moral norms of the men I know best. There are men, and there are monsters that barely qualify as human.
This tends to be the problem. Men think their friends can’t do this.
Women will tell you otherwise.
We, as men, are no more latent rapists than we are born with some irresistible urge to murder.
Neither could a man blame his gender for faults that are his alone.
We’re not fallen Angels. We’re risen pond scum. I believe we can rise higher.
Cheers,
Mike
If we had true justice, each one of those animals would have their balls sliced off with a dull butter knife for the HORROR they inflicted upon this innocent woman!
Sickening!!!
It's such a bold and inspiring statement to concretely say "no, it's theirs"
We need to try to follow her lead. Sunlight is the best disinfectant. That shame is not yours to feel.
They all hid their faces in shame.
As should be.
-Gisèle Pelicot
#PersonOfTheYear
#Survivor
But….. can we stop using “balls” when “backbone” or “guts” would work?
It’s both coarse and gendered and I feel we should commend her without attributing men’s genitals to her specifically feminine bravery.
The should be no sympathy for the men, even those with health conditions, as they are monsters.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c785nm5g5y1o
Do 'men' really love us?
Strong woman and my heart goes out to her.
Like America IS ... uch...
brave woman! Interesting the media keeps showing her, but not the names & faces of all the men that raped her!
Truly beyond horrific.
Loudly.
“Cut ALL their fucking balls off” were her exact words.
https://people.com/man-drugged-wife-invited-men-rape-her-confesses-to-crimes-court-8713733
https://nashvillebanner.com/2024/12/19/nashville-women-victims-sexual-videos/