The Big Story

Why a rape trial in France has transfixed the world

Nov 14, 2024

Catherine Porter, an international correspondent for The New York Times, provides a deep dive into the gripping Gisele Pelicot rape trial in France. She details Gisele's courageous stand against her aggressors, challenging societal norms and shining a light on hidden abuses. The conversation explores the trial’s impact on the small town’s community, highlighting how local perceptions of safety are transformed. Porter discusses the potential for this high-profile case to spark significant changes in legislation around sexual assault, igniting vital discussions on consent.

29:07

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Catherine Porter

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Quick takeaways

Giselle Pellicot's courageous decision to waive her anonymity and confront her trauma aims to transform cultural perceptions surrounding sexual assault and empower other victims.

The trial's shocking details and widespread local impact have sparked vital discussions about trust, consent, and the need for systemic changes in addressing sexual violence.

Deep dives

Giselle Pellicot's Courage and Public Disclosure

Giselle Pellicot has emerged as a significant figure in the mass rape trial involving her ex-husband and 50 other accused men. Choosing to waive her right to anonymity, she has publicly confronted the horror of her experience, with a powerful statement that shame should belong to her aggressors, not her. By taking this bold step, she aims to shift cultural perceptions around sexual assault, challenging the narrative that often stigmatizes victims. Her actions have garnered attention and support, as she becomes a symbol of resistance against rape culture, inspiring other women to speak out and seek justice.

Intro

2min

Unveiling Truth: The Trials of Giselle Pellico

9min

The Ripple Effect of a Scandal in a Small Town

5min

A Woman's Dignity in the Face of Trauma

4min

The High-Stakes Rape Trial in France

9min

The crime is horrific. The details are as bad as you can imagine. The woman at the centre of it, though? Exhibiting incredible bravery, under the worst possible circumstances. The rape trial of Gisele Pelicot's husband, and 50 other men, has transfixed the world. Not simply because of the crime itself, but because of the way Gisele has wrestled the narrative away from the ones the world all too often hears in the coverage and discussion of sex assault.

Today we'll take you inside that courtroom, with a reporter who has been covering the trial, to explain exactly what's happening within its walls, and within the justice system of France — but the impact of this case well beyond that, because Gisele Pelicot's bravery may change more than just narratives.

GUEST: Catherine Porter, international correspondent, The New York Times

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