In France, there is often an inclination to push boundaries in protest. Nevertheless, there are moments when the French channel their anger effectively, leading to positive changes in institutions and culture. This is how people around the world view the trial of Dominique Pelicot, a 72-year-old, and 50 local men accused of raping his wife, Gisèle Pelicot, also 72, while she was drugged and filmed on their marital bed in Mazan, Provence. Out of the accused, 47 have been found guilty of rape, attempted rape, or sexual assault. Dominique Pelicot has been sentenced to 20 years in prison, with others receiving terms ranging from three to 15 years.
The handling of this case by the authorities has been notably stringent: the trial was conducted publicly as requested by Gisèle. Since Pelicot had recorded the crimes, providing undeniable evidence against the accused, the courtroom viewed the footage in its entirety, preventing any denial of Gisèle’s incapacitation during the assaults and dismissing any claims of consent.
The identities of the convicted individuals have been disclosed, ensuring they face the disgrace and repercussions they deserve. This case has the potential to prompt revisions to France’s rape laws, which currently do not address consent.
Public prosecutor Laure Chabaud has made a decisive statement. She asserted that no one can argue, as in the past, that silence implies consent, labeling this notion as outdated. And yet, the brutality inflicted by men on defenseless or unconscious women continues to pervade even the most advanced societies. What actions are being taken? Where is the public outrage, the demands for change beyond mere lip service from the legal system and government? Where is the meaningful dialogue? Have we exhausted our efforts on the chaotic wave of hashtags like MeToo?
Instances of injustices and flaws in the protective systems consistently fail women and girls, leaving them vulnerable to violence and harm at the hands of male perpetrators across various demographics. In the UK, discussions often focus on superficial issues amplified by cultural clashes, overshadowing the pressing concerns of domestic violence, rape, and abuse that persist beneath the facade of modern British society.
The staggering cases of violence against women in Britain, such as the tragic murder of Sarah Everard by a Metropolitan Police officer, the deaths of Emma Pattison and her daughter at the hands of her husband, and the prolonged atrocities committed by grooming gangs, reveal the harsh reality of gender-based violence. While promises are made to learn from these tragedies, are we truly implementing the necessary changes?
It is imperative that we address the pervasive issue of violence against women and prioritize meaningful action to ensure the safety and well-being of all individuals in society.
Let’s not forget the girls groomed and abused in Rochdale. A report released in January, commissioned by Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, uncovered “widespread organized sexual exploitation of children within Rochdale from 2004 to 2012, and failures by statutory agencies at the time to respond appropriately.” Once again, the familiar refrain echoed: “lessons will be learned.”
How many more women must fall victim to violence and sexual exploitation before decisive action is taken? The litany of tragedies grows longer, yet the response remains feeble.
Drawing inspiration from France, where the national dialogue reaches both high and wide, we see a stark contrast. The French chief prosecutor boldly proclaimed that the Pelicot trial would “fundamentally alter the dynamics between men and women” in France.
This is not merely about absorbing “lessons” but rather about the pressing, long-overdue imperative to confront and dismantle the pervasive culture of casual, entitled abuse towards women. Anne-Cécile Mailfert, the president of France’s Fondation des Femmes (Women’s Foundation), aptly articulated this urgency: “Gisèle Pelicot has propelled French society forward, shedding light on conjugal rape and ‘chemical submission,’ underscoring that rape implicates individuals from all walks of life.”
Predictably, amidst these crucial conversations, some rhetoric has deviated into extreme realms. It is erroneous to claim that most women in the Western world still exist “under patriarchy” – a term with a specific definition that does not align with the legal frameworks or societal norms prevalent in modern Western Europe. Moreover, the notion, once posited by certain feminists in the 1980s and resurfacing in current French discourse, that all men are either actively or passively complicit in acts of rape is unsubstantiated. Simply being male does not equate to complicity in such atrocities, though it undeniably heightens the risk of perpetration.
Where, then, is the watershed moment that compels us to wake up? Mere platitudes about learning lessons are insufficient. The suffering, abuse, and miscarriages of justice have occurred with such frequency that the lessons should be glaringly evident. The time has come, as it has in France, to forcefully drive home these lessons through righteous indignation, unwavering dedication, and moral fortitude.
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