Gisèle Pelicot: Shame must be carried by the accused, not the victims

**This episode contains distressing details of rape and sexual assault**

Gisèle Pelicot: “I wanted the shame to shift to the other side…Shame must be carried by the accused, not the victims.”

Victoria Derbyshire speaks to Gisèle Pelicot, the woman at the centre of France's largest ever rape trial.

In 2024 her husband and 50 other men were convicted of raping and assaulting her.

For years, Mr Pelicot had repeatedly drugged her unconscious and invited dozens of men into their home to rape her.

In an exclusive UK interview, Gisèle Pelicot talks of her horror at discovering what had been done to her, how hard it was telling her kids and why she chose to waive her anonymity at the trial. She also talks about the overwhelming public support she has received and her hopes for the future.

Thank you to the Newsnight team for its help in making this programme.

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Presenter: Victoria Derbyshire Producers: Liz Rawlings, Jasmin Dyer, Farhana Haider, Clare Williamson Editor: Damon Rose

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(Image: Gisèle Pelicot Credit: Dmitry Kostyukov/BBC Newsnight)