They line up in front of a courthouse in southeastern France, from morning to evening, and have gathered in the thousands in cities across the country. They hold signs reading, “one rape every six minutes,” “not all men but always a man,” and “giving in is not consenting.”

They chant: “Rapist we see you, victim we believe you.”

Women across France are rallying in support of Gisèle Pelicot, a 72-year-old reluctant icon whose husband is on trial in the city of Avignon for systematically drugging her and inviting dozens of men, 50 of whom are now his co-defendants, into their home to rape her over nearly a decade.

The shocking case has sparked what many women in France call a long-overdue reckoning over “rape culture” and systemic sexism in the way the judicial system handles sexual violence.

  • InvertedParallax@lemm.ee
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    1 month ago

    Ok, wow, this is a fucked up thread.

    I just came here to say “More power to her!”, she’s setting an incredible example and we need to turn back the misogyny and just general sexual violence that we’ve had in society since time immemorial.

    • Mango@lemmy.world
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      1 month ago

      Wow, so smart and supportive of you to pick a side and fling shit the other way.

        • Mango@lemmy.world
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          1 month ago

          Acting stupid here only helps your case with the stupid among the audience. You know damn well this is about demonizing men.

          • strawberrysocial@lemmy.world
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            1 month ago

            Honestly I’m also confused by your reply. How is a woman going to court because she’s been raped by 50+ strangers demonizing men? I’m asking questions, not from stupidity, but because you aren’t making sense.

          • strawberrysocial@lemmy.world
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            1 month ago

            No I’m genuinely confused by what you said. The only other side, is the multiple rapists in the article. There is the victim, and then the people who raped her. Which “other side” are you referring to? Are you open one of those sociopathic trolls who get off on making comments like this to cause discord? *Autocorrect edit

      • EndlessApollo@lemmy.world
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        1 month ago

        You take a statement about how women shouldn’t be raped as a personal attack. Thanks for letting us all know to keep as much distance between us and you as possible, very thoughtful :3