Gisèle Pelicot was named Personality of the Year in France

Gisele Pelicot was named Personality of the Year in France, according to the results of a survey by the Odoxa Institute, carried out in 2024.

The survey, which was carried out among citizens of the country, showed that the 38% Of them, he felt mobilized by the case of women, compared to the impact that other world figures such as presidents had. Emmanuel Macron y Volodimir Zelenskyor the recently elected Donald Trumpwith 37% in the case of the American and 28% in the case of the Ukrainian.

“Pelicot’s personality and his dignity, but also the horror to which she was subjectedthey had an impact on the French people,” Odoxa highlighted when disseminating the results of the survey.

Pelicot’s case dates back to September 2020, when her ex-husband, Dominique Pelicotwas detained by supermarket security after they found him recording several women.

During the investigations, the police found thousands of photos and videos of his wife, which led to a complaint against him and others. 50 menaccused of drug her, rape her more than 200 times y document these episodeswhich lasted during nine years.

The cause became very relevant when the woman decided waive your right to remain anonymous and made the entire trial against her ex-husband public, spreading her identity as a victim, with the aim that “shame changes sides” towards the rapist.

The French press empathized with her and baptized the group of accused as “Monsieur Tout-le-Monde”, “Mr. Anybody”, due to their varied and common profiles, of working middle class, with classic jobs such as truck drivers, carpenters, nurses and clerks. of banks.

In December 2024, his ex-partner was sentenced to 20 years in prisonwhile the dozens of unknown people also involved received sentences behind bars ranging from three and 15 years.

“I wanted the entire society to witness the debates that took place here. I have never regretted making this decision. I am confident in our ability to collectively project ourselves towards a future in which everyone, women and men, can live in harmony, with respect and mutual understanding.”said Gisèle upon learning the definition of Justice.

Her decision generated reactions not only in society and in feminist groups, which immediately came out in support, but also in the French president himself, who admired her courage.

“Thank you, Gisèle Pelicot. For this word of justice in whose name you faced the test with your head held high. For women, who always have a pioneer who raises her voice and fights. For all of us, because your dignity and your courage have moved and inspired France and the world“Macron wrote on his social networks.

The German Chancellor Olaf Scholzalso highlighted the woman’s decision and assured that “shame must change sides”. “You bravely came out of anonymity into the public light to fight for justice. You gave women around the world a strong voice. The shame always belongs to the perpetrator.“, held.

At the same time, the German Interior Minister regretted that “too often, victims of sexualized violence are not believed.”

His case also motivated the parameters of French laws to be re-evaluated, the guidelines of which led to the 94% of rape cases reported to the Police were dismissedwithout any action taken accordingly.