MELBOURNE, Australia — A group of Australian supporters of Gisèle Pelicot expressed their heartfelt appreciation after the victim in France’s infamous drugging-and-rape case acknowledged their support by wearing a scarf showcasing Aboriginal artwork.
At 72 years old, Pelicot, who chose to forgo anonymity, donned the silk scarf multiple times during her trial in Avignon. This included moments following the conviction and sentencing of 51 men who were found guilty of sexually assaulting her after she had been drugged by her former spouse, Dominique Pelicot.
The verdict on Thursday attracted global attention, eliciting reactions from thousands of people and political figures who applauded her courage and the heightened awareness surrounding sexual violence against women that resulted from her trial.
“Shame must change sides. Thank you, Gisèle Pelicot!” German Chancellor Olaf Scholz shared on the platform X. “You bravely emerged from anonymity and fought for justice. You have given women worldwide a powerful voice. The disgrace lies solely with the perpetrators.”
Nancy Faeser, the German Interior Minister, echoed similar sentiments, stating on X, “Too often, victims of sexual violence are not believed or even partly blamed. Gisèle Pelicot has motivated many to stand up and report violence—what an admirable woman! It is the perpetrators, not the victims, who should feel shame.”
Pedro Sanchez, the Prime Minister of Spain, commended Pelicot for her “dignity.” Meanwhile, the story captured the British media’s attention, with Pelicot’s image prominently featured across news outlets and the front pages of major newspapers, highlighting her bravery and resilience.
The Daily Mirror’s cover boldly declared her the “World’s Bravest Woman,” while the Guardian dedicated its entire front page to her story, continuing coverage through several internal pages. The Daily Mail published an extensive seven-page report on the trial, with columnist Sarah Vine celebrating Pelicot as the “woman of the year” and lauding her for taking down her abusive husband.
The scarf that Pelicot wore was a gift worth 220 Australian dollars (approximately $137) from the Older Women’s Network, a rights advocacy group based in Sydney. Yumi Lee, the organization’s chief executive, expressed her astonishment and gratitude that Pelicot embraced their gesture of solidarity.
Lee mentioned that her group, which comprises 1,000 members across New South Wales and campaigns against sexual violence, raised funds to purchase the scarf even while the trial was ongoing in September. Their decision stemmed from the realization that distance made it impractical for many members to show support in person.
Pelicot has emphasized that the narrative of shame associated with sexual assault needs to change, advocating for victims everywhere by demonstrating that they can also stand up against violence. “She has shattered the myth that sexual assault only affects certain groups; anyone can be a victim, young or old,” Lee remarked.
Lee shared that it was unexpected when Pelicot’s lawyer reached out to acknowledge the scarf’s receipt. “Her lawyer informed us that she appreciated the scarf, noting its First Nations design,” Lee explained.
The scarf features art by Indigenous painter Mulyatingki Marney, depicting a series of saltwater pools recognized for their healing properties, as detailed by the retailer One of Twelve. This Canberra-based business promotes art from the Asia-Pacific region and compensates artists through royalties on scarf and tie sales, in addition to handmade bilums from Papua New Guinea.
“We chose this design for its beauty, the rich colors, and importantly, it represents a story of healing, told through the work of a First Nations elder,” Lee added. Anna Saboisky, the owner of One of Twelve, noted that the publicity surrounding Pelicot had generated considerable interest in their scarves.
She mentioned that they had nearly sold out of a second print run and had ordered a third batch, stating, “Since this morning, about 20 online orders have come through. We’re just a small business; it’s unprecedented to have such demand for a single scarf.”
Lee concluded by expressing that if Avignon had been more accessible, they would have rallied in person to support Pelicot.
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This report has been updated to correctly reflect Gisèle Pelicot’s age as 72.