Gisèle Pelicot receives France’s highest honour

Gisèle Pelicot, who became a symbol for women’s rights in France during the rape trial against her ex-husband and dozens of accomplices, has received France’s highest civic honour.

Pelicot was named knight of the Legion of Honour on a list published in the official gazette on Sunday.

Pelicot’s ex-husband was sentenced to 20 years in prison at the end of last year for aggravated rape, in a landmark case that horrified France and the world, and reignited the debate on criminal legislation on sexual violence.

Dominique Pelicot repeatedly drugged his then-wife, abused her and offered her to dozens of strangers to rape over a period of almost 10 years.

A court in the southern French city of Avignon also sentenced 50 co-defendants in December to prison terms ranging from three to 15 years.

Gisèle Pelicot had insisted that the trial be held in public to ensure that rape and the abuse of women became the focus of public debate far beyond France.