Gisele Pelicot, utterly floored by this

[twoboystwodogs]

I am totally stunned by what happened to Gisele Pelicot, it is beyond horrific. The violation, the betrayal of trust, and that so many 'normal' men thought what they were doing was OK. I am struggling to find words. I'm not wanting to belittle all the other horrendous cases of violence against women. But to be drugged in your own bed by your husband and your husband allow other men to come in and rape you and he films it and he puts it on the Internet and encourages other men to do this to their wives. For over 10 years. What the actual f###? How much more of this abuse are women going to have to take before something is really done to stop it?

BBC News - Women moved by defiant Gisèle Pelicot in France mass rape trial
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvg5g24rr6lo

It's absolutely awful isn't it? I've been so upset by this news story. It's completely enraged me. I'm just shocked at how many "ordinary" men took part.

Germaine Greer was right all along; we just don't really understand how much men hate us.

I agree. There are a few crimes against women where I am absolutely staggered to realise just how much some men hate women. My brain cannot comprehend it. And I am so lucky in that I am surrounded by wonderful men! But it is still a very real threat, simply by being born female. Horrifying. I am not sure how she will ever get over it and I wish her peace and happiness for the rest of her life, more than anything.

I don’t think men will ever change to a point where this stuff is eradicated unless they are all castrated at birth

and overall, I’m not sure that’s the best solution.

It clearly shows what too many men will do if they think they won't be found out.

I can't get over not just that her husband would do that, but that approximately 80 men raped her and none of them thought it was a problem. Allegedly, they were all local "normal" men as well. Apparently only five men walked away when they realised what was going on, and not one of them thought to report what they'd seen.

That poor woman. So incredibly brave.

It's one of the most horrific things I've ever read. The absolute betrayal of everything by her husband, that so many men were involved, that it happened over such a long period of time, the gaslighting, involving their daughter too. What she went through is incomprehensible.

And then her incredible strength at ensuring the trial is public, at holding all those men to account. She is so brave.

To echo what's already been said. This case has really saddened and enraged me. I just cannot comprehend that that amount of men from a small area would join in with these horrific ats.

Presumably a lot of these men have wifes and daughters of their own. I'd like to how they reacted when they found out what their son/husband/father has done.

I hope everyone of these men (including the few who left but didn't report it) get the harshest punishment possible.

It's absolutely horrific and she is astoundingly brave to waive anonymity. What gobsmacked me in the article though is the comments of the men asked about the court case, that apparently "it's a private affair" and why are the media making such a fuss?! Jesus wept, some men really hate women don't they?

All the men were from the local area too. He didn't have to cast his net very wide.

Is there a protest / rally in the Uk like in France?

I’ve had enough of MVAW&G. It’s getting worse.

Moving away from the absolute rotten scum that are all the men involved in this, Gisele is handling herself with such bravery and dignity, she's an absolute wonder. I know she has her daughter supporting her, I hope she has a lot more support behind the scenes as well. I don't know how she can ever come to terms with this. What a woman.

And that so many of them thought it was fine because her husband gave them permission. Ah well, that's alright then 🙄

@LittleGreenDuck exactly. It beggars belief that so many men actually think that women would be ok with being drugged by their significant other and then raped. This case honestly makes me look at men differently.

There are some other threads with discussion and references: similar to this one, expressing admiration for GP's courage and desire to go ahead with this in public to serve other women, mixed with horror that she needs these levels of resilience.

www.mumsnet.com/talk/womens_rights/5159933-caroline-criado-perez-on-male-violence-and-rape?

The whole thing is SO SO upseting and she is incredibly strong woma .

The bit that floors me is even though there are videos of these men raping an unconscious women about 30 are pleading not guilty and are claiming she gave consent...

Being born without a penis is a death sentence isn't it?
Often literally.

I don't think it's necessarily always HATE (though for some it is), it's thinking we're irrelevant - not full humans. I find that really chilling. And on such a large scale as in this terrible story, it really beggars belief. I am finding that really difficult to get my head around.

Agree - I was going to say this.
I think to say they hate us is too straightforward. I think they just don't give us a thought except as holes for their chipolatas. And when we DARE to try to be more than that, we're condemned by the blanket fog known as patriarchy.

There’s a famous kidnap case where a known sex offender has been proved to be nearby. I’ve often said he must be responsible because how many people capable of such a heinous act could there be in such a small area. Well, heres my answer. A fucking lot! I’ve honestly changed my whole way of looking at men, all men, due to this case.

@AlexandraLeaving yes I agree, I used the word hate as an umbrella term of sorts. I totally agree that there are men that seem to think that women are sub human and not relevant and it's utterly chilling that they walk amongst us.

She is such a brave lady

The outstanding bravery of Gisele Pélicot www.mumsnet.com/Talk/feminism/5156611-the-outstanding-bravery-of-gisele-pelicot

Agreed. In some ways, I find that aspect almost more disturbing than the rape and the drugging (though clearly both are outstandingly appalling). It's bad (obvs!!) to rape or drug another human being. But to treat someone as if they were not even human at all is almost unbelievable in its callousness.

@BettyBooper
exactly what I thought following the BBC / Saville scenario.

Yes, I wrote this on the other thread.

A population of 6000, half if which are male. Say a Third of the males are children.
So in this case at least 80 out of 2000 -ish men thought raping this unconscious woman was absolutely fine and dandy + that they would Get away with it. So in only this case 4% of the local male population were happy to rape.
AT LEAST 4%, since sadly GP probably wasn’t the only one being abused in the community.

That is just too many men.

I'm holding onto the phenomenal bravery of Gisèle who allowed all the horrific details to be made public to ensure that "the shame changes sides". What an extraordinary woman.

The number of men who are willing to rape women so long has it doesn't fit their idea of "violent stranger rape" (because they're the good guys 😳) is truly terrifying.