Gisele Pelicot has spoken after her ex-husband was among 51 men who have been sentenced for a series of rapes and sex attacks against her.
Outside the court in Avignon, southern France, she said: “It was a very emotional test for me. I’ve acted for my children and my grandchildren – it’s also for them that I led this fight.
“I wanted to express my gratitude to all those who have provided victim statements and testimonials and those who gave me strength, the journalists who have covered this case, I thank you, and my lawyers and all those who have supported me through this journey.
“I wanted to make sure that society can see what can happen.
“I wanted a future in which men and women can live in mutual respect and harmony.
“I respect the courts and their decision.”
Her former husband Dominique Pelicot, 72, received 20 years – the maximum sentence available for aggravated rape.
He admitted drugging and raping her and inviting dozens of strangers he met online to do the same at their home.
The majority of the 50 other men were found guilty of aggravated rape and received between three and 15 years.
Gisele Pelicot looked directly at every defendant as they stood in the court and were found guilty, then sentenced.
The three-month trial has turned Gisele Pelicot into a feminist icon.
She said she was fighting for “all those people around the world, women and men, who are victims of sexual violence”.
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