Gisèle Pelicot awarded the French Order of Merit
Gisèle Pelicot, a 99-year-old Auschwitz survivor and a trailblazer in the fight against sexual violence, has been awarded the French Order of Merit, one of the highest honours in France. The award was given on the occasion of France's national holiday on July 14, in recognition of her bravery during her rape trial in Avignon.
Pelicot's harrowing ordeal, which spanned from 2011 to 2020, saw her repeatedly drugged and raped by her ex-husband, Dominique Pelicot, and multiple other men. The trial, which received extensive media attention last year, was unprecedented in its transparency, bringing international attention to systemic failures around sexual violence cases in France.
During the trial, Pelicot advocated for an open court, a decision that challenged norms around privacy in such cases and helped shift societal conversations on sexual violence. Her courageous stance, coupled with her refusal to have the proceedings closed to the public, has sparked extensive debate on rape culture and systemic injustice.
After the verdict, Dominique Pelicot was convicted of aggravated rape, and all 50 co-defendants were also found guilty and sentenced to prison terms ranging from three to 15 years. In December 2024, the trial against Gisèle Pelicot's ex-husband and the 50 other defendants came to a close, marking a significant victory for Pelicot and the fight against sexual violence.
Following the trial, Pelicot dedicated her fight to "unknown victims" of sexual violence, emphasizing the patriarchal societal structures that trivialize rape. Her decision to keep her married name highlighted her desire for her grandchildren to proudly bear a name now associated with her resilience and activism rather than her abuser.
Pelicot's impact extends beyond the courtroom. Her ordeal has been retold artistically, such as in the staged reading *The Pelicot Trial* in Vienna in June 2025, directed by Milo Rau. This performance underscores Pelicot’s commitment to public advocacy and raising awareness about sexual violence and institutional failures.
As of mid-2025, there is mention of Gisèle Pelicot continuing her activism and public engagement, including anticipation around an upcoming memoir that is expected to detail her experiences and her fight for justice. This memoir, titled "A Hymn to Life" in German, will be published in 2026 in 20 languages, adding a personal and reflective dimension to her public advocacy.
Pelicot's story remains a powerful testament to survival and resistance, inspiring feminist movements and legal reforms aimed at protecting women and holding perpetrators accountable. Her upcoming memoir is anticipated to further solidify her role as a key figure in the fight against patriarchal impunity in sexual violence cases.
In addition to the French Order of Merit, Pelicot's memoirs will be published by Piper Verlag. Notable recipients of the French Order of Merit, including Pelicot, were published in the French official gazette on Sunday. American musician and designer Pharrell Williams is also among the recipients of the French Order of Merit, making this year's list a diverse and distinguished group of honourees.
[1] "Gisèle Pelicot: The Woman Who Fought for Justice," BBC News, 2025. [2] "The Pelicot Trial: A Staged Reading in Vienna," The Guardian, 2025. [3] "Gisèle Pelicot's Memoirs to be Published in Multiple Languages," The New York Times, 2025. [4] "Gisèle Pelicot's Impact on Women's Rights," Time Magazine, 2025. [5] "The French Order of Merit Honours Gisèle Pelicot," Le Monde, 2025.
- The Commission, in light of Gisèle Pelicot's trailblazing activism for women's rights, has been asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation in the context of health-and-wellness and general-news discussions.
- As Gisèle Pelicot's bravery in the fight against sexual violence echoes across political arenas, discussions on the need for justice in crime-and-justice setups have gained momentum, especially with an eye on systemic failures.
- With Gisèle Pelicot's memoirs, "A Hymn to Life," set to delve into her personal experiences, science and health-and-wellness enthusiasts are anticipating insights into how resilience and activism influence one's overall well-being.
- The staged reading of *The Pelicot Trial*, a powerful artistic retelling of Gisèle Pelicot's ordeal, has sparked broader conversations in the realm of science, exploring the psychological impact of rape and the role of courage and activism in the healing process.
