Gisèle Pelicot

Gisèle Pelicot is a French woman known for publicly identifying herself as the victim in the Mazan rape case, also called the Pelicot case.

Gisèle Pelicot is a French woman known for publicly identifying herself as the victim in the Mazan rape case, also called the Pelicot case. She became internationally known after waiving anonymity during the trial of her former husband and dozens of other accused men.

Background

Gisèle Pelicot was born in 1952 in Villingen, Germany, and is described in sources as a French retired executive. She later became known internationally through the criminal case involving her former husband.

Mazan rape case

Sources report that she was repeatedly drugged and raped between 2011 and 2020, with the abuse allegedly organized by her husband Dominique Pelicot. The case became known in France as the affaire des viols de Mazan or affaire Pelicot.

Public identification and impact

Gisèle Pelicot waived her right to anonymity at the start of the trial, and her decision received wide international attention. Coverage has described her as a prominent symbol in discussions of sexual violence and victim stigma.

Court outcome

Reports state that in December 2024 Dominique Pelicot was sentenced to 20 years in prison, and other accused men received prison terms as well. Coverage also states that all of Gisèle Pelicot’s attackers were convicted.