News of the verdicts in the biggest rape trial in French history fills the front pages in the UK and across Europe today.
After a French court convicted 51 men of the rape, attempted rape and sexual assault of Gisèle Pelicot, she addressed supporters, saying she was thinking “of the unrecognised victims, whose stories often remain in the shadows”. One of the men was her ex-husband, Dominique Pelicot, who was sentenced to 20 years in prison for drugging Pelicot and inviting dozens of men to rape her in her home in the south of France over almost a decade.
The Guardian led on Gisèle Pelicot’s address after the sentencing, in which she said, “I wanted all of society to be a witness”.
While news of the verdicts was not prominent on all French front pages, Libération also quoted Pelicot, saying, “I now have confidence”. She was referring to her confidence in society’s “capacity to find a better future where everyone – women and men alike – can live in harmony with respect and mutual understanding”.
Le Parisien’s headline was, “51 coupables”, as all of the accused were found guilty.
In the UK, the Mirror’s headline was “The world’s bravest woman” over a picture of a smiling Pelicot.
The i Paper and Metro also quoted her address, with, “We share the same fight” and “I have no regrets” – the second calling to mind Édith Piaf’s song of defiance and triumph, “Non, je ne regrette rien”:
The Daily Express headline was “Gisele’s brave message of hope after horror”.
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While in Germany, Tagesspiegel called the result, “Her victory against shame”. Pelicot chose to waive her anonymity in October, because “It’s not for us to have shame,” she said then, “It’s for them.”
The Daily Mail includes a seven-page special on the “trial that appalled the world”. It carries a comment piece on the front page headlined: “The elegant French woman with a core of steel who has become a heroine to every victim of male abuse”.
The Financial Times gives a smiling Pelicot the main picture slot on its front page, under the headline: “Resolute: ex-husband of rape survivor Pelicot jailed for 20 years in case that shocked France.”
