Gisèle Pelicot details how she survived a decade of hidden abuse

French survivor Gisèle Pelicot, whose courtroom testimony shocked the world, has broken her silence in her first American television appearance following the historic trial involving her former husband and dozens of accomplices. In the interview scheduled to air on CBS Sunday Morning, she explains why she chose to publicly recount the ordeal she endured for nearly a decade — saying she hopes her experience will help others facing abuse.

Her decision to speak openly also coincides with the release of her memoir, A Hymn to Life: Shame Has to Change Sides, where she narrates the years she unknowingly lived under constant manipulation and chemical assault inside her own home.

Why She Chose to Go Public

Pelicot became a global symbol of courage after waiving her legal right to anonymity during the lengthy criminal proceedings against her ex-husband, Dominique Pelicot, and dozens of other men. The trial revealed that he had secretly drugged her and arranged assaults by multiple perpetrators over many years.

Speaking to journalist Seth Doane, she explained that telling her story publicly was intentional — not only to confront shame but to redirect it toward perpetrators.

She said she wants people to understand how manipulation can exist within ordinary domestic life, adding that she herself once believed she was living with a caring partner.

The Decade of Abuse She Couldn’t See

According to her account, Pelicot began experiencing mysterious health issues long before discovering the truth. She recalled unusual tastes in drinks and strange domestic habits she could not explain at the time — including food prepared separately by her husband.

Looking back, she now believes these were signs of systematic poisoning used to incapacitate her. She described the realization as unimaginable, saying it never occurred to her that a spouse could orchestrate such acts while maintaining a normal daily routine.

Investigators later confirmed that she had been drugged repeatedly while assaults were arranged in the family home.

Court Verdict and Sentence

After a four-month trial that drew international attention, the court found all accused men guilty. Dominique Pelicot received the maximum 20-year prison sentence, marking one of the most consequential sexual violence rulings in recent French legal history.

The case sparked global discussions about consent, digital-era exploitation networks, and the responsibility of institutions to protect victims.

A Memoir Aimed at Other Survivors

Her upcoming book focuses less on the perpetrators and more on recovery and resilience. She says the memoir addresses a common question she hears: how someone could survive such trauma and still stand publicly.

By telling her story herself, she hopes to dismantle stigma surrounding survivors and encourage others to speak without fear.

Why Her Story Resonates Worldwide

Advocates say Pelicot’s decision to reveal her identity challenged long-standing norms around privacy in sexual assault cases. Instead of hiding, she confronted the narrative — shifting attention away from victims’ shame toward accountability.

Her interview and memoir together represent not just personal testimony but a wider cultural conversation about trust, coercion and the hidden forms abuse can take inside relationships.

FAQ

Who is Gisèle Pelicot?
She is a French survivor whose testimony exposed a decade-long assault orchestrated by her former husband and multiple accomplices.

What happened in the trial?
More than 50 men were convicted, and her ex-husband received a 20-year sentence.

Why did she waive anonymity?
She wanted to confront stigma and help other survivors feel less alone.

What is her memoir about?
It recounts her experience and focuses on healing and reclaiming dignity.

When will the interview air?
Her first U.S. TV interview airs February 15 on CBS Sunday Morning.