Fran Benson

A soldier, a nurse, a lorry driver, a builder, a baker… these are just some of the men accused of the rape and assault of Gisèle Pelicot. By labelling rapists as “monsters,” we actively distance them from ordinary men, ignoring the reality that sexual violence against women is a deliberate choice made by countless men who walk all parts of our society. Such labels prevent us from confronting the truth this trial now holds up to the world: that many men walk freely in our communities, appearing trusted and safe, yet actively choose to commit acts of violence against women and girls… Many of the men accused in this trial have attempted to normalise their acts of sexual violence by framing their behaviour as a misunderstanding of consent, and even a reaction to personal struggles. These excuses do not mitigate their actions. Some of the men conceded they ‘should have left’ when they saw Gisèle Pelicot was unconscious, whilst others have been more explicit in their views towards women earlier in life, “I had a hatred towards women.” This normalisation by these men of their violent behaviours creates a disturbing disparity, minimising the seriousness of their crimes and shifting focus away from the harm of the victim. One of the men accused went as far to state he was ‘was simply following her husband’s instructions,’ going as far to directly tell Gisèle Pelicot in court: “It’s not me you should be angry with, it’s your husband,” This is an abhorrent case. Yet, it is an incredible survivor, Gisèle Pelicot, who in choosing to waive her anonymity now holds these ‘ordinary’ men up to the world, to show the full extent of the crimes. To stare down that the men who committed these acts were characters who occupied the community in her life, even ones she unwittingly greeted in her everyday life: “I saw him now and then in the bakery; I would say hello. I never thought he’d come and rape me,” - Gisèle Pelicot ➡️ theguardian.com/world/2024/o…