A French woman who brought to court the men who sexually assaulted her will receive France's highest honor.
According to the French official gazette on the 13th (local time), Gisèle Pellicot, 72, has been selected to receive the rank of chevalier in the Legion of Honor on the occasion of Bastille Day on the 14th.
Gisèle is a victim who was drugged by her then-husband Dominique Pellicot from July 2011 to October 2020, leading to her being sexually assaulted by dozens of unknown men.
She requested that the first trial of 50 defendants be conducted publicly last year, which has been recognized for changing perceptions of sexual violence perpetrators and victims both in France and around the world.
At the time, Gisèle said, "The shame should belong to the defendants, not the victims," making her an icon of courage for many survivors of sexual assault.
Gisèle was also named one of Time magazine's Women of the Year for 2025 in March this year.
The Legion of Honor was established in 1802 by Napoleon I. It is awarded to individuals who have made significant contributions in military service or in various fields such as politics, economics, society, culture, and sports in France. It is divided into five ranks: grand-croix, grand-officier, commandeur, officier, and chevalier, including the highest rank of grand-croix.