Horror mass rape victim Gisele Pelicot has become symbol of fight against sexual violence in France

The woman who for ten years was the victim of her own husband's monstrous acts has become a symbol in France and around the world for female dignity and against 'the worst of male violence'

Gisele Pelicot, whose husband is standing trial accused of allowing dozens of men to drug and rape her for a decade, has become a symbol of the fight against sexual violence in France.

Waiving her right to anonymity in a court case that has shocked the world, Gisele has appeared at the trial wearing trademark sunglasses. Yesterday she heard testimony from her husband, Dominique Pelicot, who said: “Along with the other men here, I am a rapist. I am guilty of what I did. I regret what I did. I ask for forgiveness even if it is not forgivable.”

Pelicot used the online monikers “pervert” and “dominator”, where he recruited men to travel to his house to abuse his wife. Police sources say at least 22 attackers remain unidentified and up to 85 may have raped Gisele.

Last weekend, many people joined public rallies in support of her in towns and cities across the country. One campaigner in Marseille said: “Shame must change sides.”

Gisele has also received support from women’s groups. Anne-Cecile Mailfert, president of Fondation des Femmes, said Pelicot’s trial “has become a symbol of the worst that male violence can do”.

And in an open letter published in French newspaper Le Monde, journalist and author Helene Devynck, who is an advocate of the #MeToo movement, thanked the grandmother-of-seven for her bravery in waiving her anonymity.

She wrote: “You entered our lives like you entered the Avignon court, through the front door. It’s not just you, Gisele, that they’ve treated like a thing.

“They were telling us, all of us women, how insignificant we are. Your strength restores ours. Thank you for this immense gift.”