The Canadian Women’s Foundation issued the following statement regarding the sentencing in the Gisèle Pelicot trial:

Today is a powerful moment for girls, women, and gender-diverse people everywhere. It is a moment for survivors. The Canadian Women’s Foundation commends Gisèle Pelicot for her remarkable courage in publicly confronting her abusers while seeking justice in court.

By waiving her right to anonymity and inviting the world to witness this trial, Gisèle sent a powerful message: the shame belongs to perpetrators, not survivors. Her bravery inspires us to challenge the silence surrounding intimate partner violence and gender-based violence, and to build systems that prioritize survivors’ rights and safety.

To every survivor: you are not alone. The Canadian Women’s Foundation stands with the global community in demanding an end to gender-based violence.