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Gisèle Pelicot supports her daughter's campaign urging victims of drugging and sexual assault in France to come forward, even without clear memories of the attack.
Gisèle Pelicot, the woman at the center of a massive rape trial in France, is the figurehead of a new awareness campaign launched by her daughter, Caroline Darian, to encourage people who suspect they have been drugged and sexually assaulted to come forward, even if they have little to no memory of the attack. The campaign, titled Don't Put Me to Sleep, launched on Monday across France's television networks, social media, press, and posters. It aims to reach potential victims and provide them with information and support.
Campaign Aims to Break Silence
The campaign features video clips with Gisèle Pelicot stating that in 75% of cases of sexual abuse while drugged, the perpetrator is a relative or friend. She urges those who believe they may be victims to contact a specialized center attached to the Paris university hospital service (AP-HP). The center is staffed by experts who can advise on what evidence might exist and how to obtain it.
Caroline Darian, Gisèle Pelicot's daughter, emphasized the importance of her mother's support. She said that launching a campaign of this scale with her mother's backing sends a powerful message of hope to victims, showing that it is possible to recover. Darian also highlighted the need for victims to come forward, stating that just because someone cannot remember an attack does not mean there are no traces or tests possible. The goal is for victims to take back their own stories and no longer feel ashamed or afraid of not being heard by police, the legal system, or their families.
Background of the Pelicot Case
The campaign follows the shocking trial of Dominique Pelicot, Gisèle Pelicot's ex-husband, two years ago. For almost a decade, he drugged his wife, raped her, and invited strangers into their home in the village of Mazan, 20 miles from Avignon, to rape her while she was in a state of near coma. The trial shocked the world, and Gisèle Pelicot became an international symbol of courage and resistance when she insisted that shame must change sides. She waived her anonymity and insisted the case be held in public. Dominique Pelicot and 50 other men were convicted.
In a statement earlier this year, Gisèle Pelicot said that shame sticks to you and is a double sentence, a suffering you inflict on yourself. Her decision to speak out has been widely praised and has sparked a broader conversation about sexual violence and the use of drugs in such crimes.
Unprecedented Public Health Campaign
Caroline Darian described the campaign as unprecedented for an issue that was not recognized as a public health concern as recently as five years ago. When she started campaigning, she said, nobody had heard of it apart from a small circle of doctors. The Mazan trial was a major turning point with a global reach. She noted that they are getting somewhere but the fight is far from over. The message they want to send is that if you have a doubt, you need to look into it, and just because you cannot remember something, it does not mean there are no traces of it.
The campaign also provides information and support for anyone affected by rape or sexual abuse issues. It encourages victims to seek help and to report the crimes, even if they are unsure of the details. The initiative aims to empower victims and ensure they receive the support they need.
For more information, individuals in France can contact the AP-HP center, and in the UK, support is available from various organizations. The campaign is a significant step in addressing the often-hidden issue of drug-facilitated sexual assault and aims to bring justice and healing to survivors.
Gisèle Pelicot Caroline Darian France Sexual Assault Drugging Mazan Awareness Campaign
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