Gisèle Pelicot, 73, has described the moment she fell in love and was able to trust again after her rape ordeal orchestrated by her former husband, Dominique Pelicot, in France. She spoke at the Hay Festival on May 23, 2026, according to reports from the event.
Pelicot waived her right to anonymity during the 2024 trial of Dominique Pelicot, who was sentenced to 20 years in prison for drugging and raping her and allowing other men to assault her over nearly a decade. The case drew international attention to the issue of drug-facilitated sexual assault.
At the festival, Pelicot said she met a new partner and gradually rebuilt her ability to trust. She emphasized the importance of speaking out to help other victims. 'I wanted to show that it is possible to survive and find happiness again,' she said, according to festival coverage.
Her story has been widely covered by media including the BBC and The Guardian, which reported on her appearance at the literary festival in Wales. Pelicot has become a symbol of resilience and advocacy for sexual assault survivors.
