How Long Will It Take for the Shame of Rape to Be Placed on Men?

This case has shattered rape culture myths on an unprecedented scale. Gisèle Pélicot, in an act of defiance and courage, waived her right to anonymity to confront both her attackers and the broader societal systems that allowed such atrocities to persist. In a stirring testimony to the court in Avignon last month, she declared, “It’s time that the macho, patriarchal society that trivializes rape changes.… It’s time we changed the way we look at rape.”

Her decision to speak openly about her experiences was not only a bid for personal justice but also an effort to force society to confront its complicity in enabling such violence. As she so powerfully said: “It’s not for us to have shame; it’s for them.” This rallying cry has since resonated with victims of sexual assault, feminists, and allies around the world.

The extremity of the crimes, the cruelty, and the harrowing details have made this trial unique in its public impact. The case has exposed the perceived normalcy of the perpetrators—ordinary men in a quaint French town —and the systemic failures that allowed the abuse to continue for so long. It has become a lightning rod for those fighting to dismantle rape culture. Even in court, attempts by apologists and victim-blamers to defend Dominique and his co-defendants were drowned out by overwhelming support for Gisèle.

Public solidarity with Gisèle has been loud and unrelenting. This level of support is rare in rape cases, which often see victims disbelieved or vilified. Just a few weeks ago, Conor McGregor was found guilty by a jury of assaulting Nikita Hand in a Dublin hotel in December 2018. Despite this verdict, thousands of people rushed to his defense, calling her a liar and placing the shame on Hand.

We live in a society steeped in patriarchal values; a society where sexual assault and rape function as tools of oppression, reinforcing systems of power and control. Challenging these systems is threatening to many, as it requires a fundamental redistribution of power. Gisèle’s fight has shown how necessary this challenge is, but also how far we have yet to go.

In France, sentencing for rape and sexual assault varies greatly. Judges may impose sentences ranging from 15 to 30 years for rape and up to seven years and €100,000 in fines for sexual assault, depending on circumstances such as the victim’s age and their relationship to the perpetrator. Given the extreme nature of Dominique’s crimes, many had hoped for a life sentence.