France mass rape trial enters final stage, victim Gisele says society must change way it looks at rape

The victim in the France mass rape trial said Tuesday (Nov 19) it was time for the “macho” society to change its attitude on rape. Gisele Pelicot’s statement came as the trial, which is currently underway in the southern city of Avignon, entered its final stages, with the verdict expected next month. "It's time that the macho, patriarchal society that trivialises rape changes," said the 72-year-old woman. "It's time we changed the way we look at rape," she told the court.

Gisele’s ex-husband Dominique Pelicot and 49 other men have spent months in the dock at the court since September over mass rape charges.

Gisele told the court while describing her ordeal that what happened to her will stay with her forever. "I don't think I'll ever feel at peace until the end of my life. I'll learn to live with it. I'll rebuild myself. But there'll forever be 51 people who have defiled me. And I will have to live with this for the rest of my life," she said.

"This scar will never heal."

The case, involving the 71-year-old abuser, Dominique has sparked nationwide protests in France and a debate about male violence in French society.

Watch:France: Mass Rape Trial Heads to Final Phase

Earlier on Monday, Dominique’s children too appeared in the court, who spoke of their heartbreak and grief.

His daughter told the court she had been “forgotten” despite also being abused. Dominique has however denied abusing his daughter.

There are allegations that Dominique secretly filmed his son’s wives and leaked their nudes on social media.

"The only difference between her and me is the lack of evidence concerning me. For me, it's an absolute tragedy", said the daughter.

"In your disgusting files," she told her father, "you don't look at me like a father looks at his daughter."

One of Dominique’s sons, 50-year-old David, said that for him, “the trial of a whole family, which has been totally destroyed."

The France mass rape horror has turned Gisèle into a feminist icon as she refused to keep the trial private and went ahead with opening it to the public to raise awareness.

(With inputs from agencies)