France’s Prime Minister Michel Barnier announced the government would allocate additional funding to support victims of domestic violence.
ADVERTISEMENTFrance’s Prime Minister Michel Barnier praised Gisèle Pelicot for her « incredible courage » following his visit to a women’s health clinic at a Paris hospital.
He also announced that the government would provide additional funding to support victims of domestic violence and said 33,000 payments had already been made.
« The funds allocated by the government to the emergency medical aid have increased this year with over €7 million in additional funding. Since last year, victims of domestic violence are entitled to financial support to be able to leave their home, seek shelter and cover daily expenses. »
The prime minister also added that by the end of 2025, the procedure to file a complaint of domestic violence would be simplified.
« By the end of 2025, women will be able to file complaints from inside every French hospital with an ER or a gynaecological service. Several hospitals have started doing so but we are going to, we want to offer systematic support to every victim in one single and safe place. »
French prosecutors demanded the maximum sentence of a 20-year jail term for Gisèle Pelicot’s ex-husband, Dominic Pelicot, who admitted he had repeatedly drugged his wife and invited men who he had recruited online to rape her between 2011 and 2020 without her knowledge.
The trial has been going on for almost three months and consists of 51 defendants. The court is expected to deliver its verdicts before 20 December. While Dominique Pélicot pleaded guilty, many of his co-defendants denied raping Gisèle Pélicot, claiming they were manipulated or under the impression that she had given her consent.
Gisèle Pélicot, who waived her right to maintain her anonymity during the trial, became an icon for campaigners fighting against sexual violence.
Dozens of feminist activists performed a Haka while court proceedings were ongoing in the French city of Avignon.
The activists also chanted « Tremple rapist! » and held purple smoke flares and banners that read “Stop silence culture,” “Support to Gisèle,” “One for all, all for one,” and “Shame changes sides. »
