MELBOURNE, Australia — A group of admirers in Australia expressed their appreciation on Friday for Gisèle Pelicot, the victim in a notorious drugging and rape case in France, after she acknowledged their solidarity by wearing a scarf featuring Aboriginal art.
The 72-year-old Pelicot, who chose to reveal her identity rather than remain anonymous, donned the silk scarf multiple times throughout the trial in Avignon, especially during the sentencing of 51 men found guilty of assaulting her after she had been drugged by her former spouse, Dominique Pelicot.
The ruling, which received international attention, ignited a wave of responses from thousands of individuals and various political leaders who celebrated her courage and highlighted the importance of her trial in raising awareness about sexual violence against women.
“Shame must change sides. Thank you, Gisèle Pelicot!” wrote German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on social media. “You courageously came out of anonymity and went public, fighting for justice. You have given women across the globe a strong voice against violence. The shame should always fall on the perpetrators.”
German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser also shared her thoughts on social media, stating, “Victims of sexual violence often face disbelief and are unjustly blamed. Gisèle Pelicot has inspired many to stand up and report their experiences—what an admirable person! The shame belongs solely to the attackers, not the victims.”
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez commended Pelicot for her dignity during the ordeal. In Britain, the news of her courage dominated media coverage, with her image on numerous news websites and newspaper front pages, lauding her bravery.
“World’s Bravest Woman” proclaimed the Daily Mirror, while the Guardian dedicated its entire front page to her story, extending coverage across multiple pages. The Daily Mail highlighted the case with a seven-page feature, with columnist Sarah Vine naming Pelicot Woman of the Year, citing her courage in confronting her husband as worthy of respect.
The scarf worn by Pelicot was a thoughtful gift valued at 220 Australian dollars ($137) from the Older Women’s Network, an advocacy group based in Sydney. Its CEO, Yumi Lee, expressed her surprise and honor that Pelicot accepted the gesture of solidarity.
With 1,000 members in New South Wales, Lee’s group campaigns on various issues, including sexual violence, and raised funds in September to purchase the scarf during the ongoing court proceedings. They opted for this gesture as traveling to Avignon, which is over 17,000 kilometers (11,000 miles) from Sydney, was impractical for most members.
Pelicot has made it clear that the shame should shift to the perpetrators, encouraging other victims of sexual assault to find strength in her example. “She has also demonstrated that sexual assault can affect anyone, regardless of age,” Lee noted, emphasizing the message her actions convey.
Lee shared her surprise when Pelicot’s lawyer reached out to the group, confirming the scarf had been received and expressing interest in its design rooted in First Nations culture.
The scarf, inspired by Aboriginal painter Mulyatingki Marney, features imagery of healing saltwater pools located on Marney’s ancestral land. The retailer, One of Twelve, is committed to showcasing art from the Asia-Pacific region, ensuring that artists receive royalties from sales.
“We chose this design not just for its beauty and vibrant colors, but because it was created by a First Nations female artist, representing a story of healing,” Lee explained.
Anna Saboisky, the owner of One of Twelve, noted how the attention Pelicot’s situation has drawn has significantly impacted their small business, with a second run of scarves nearly selling out and a third edition being prepared.
“Since this morning, we’ve seen about 20 online orders,” Saboisky shared, adding that such unprecedented interest for a single product is remarkable for their small enterprise.
If Avignon had been nearer, Lee stated, they would have been present in person to show their vocal support.
— This report has been updated to reflect that Gisèle Pelicot is 72 years old.