Gisèle Pelicot Opens Up About Finding Love and Trust Again at Hay Festival

Gisèle Pelicot Finds Hope and Love After Years of Abuse

Gisèle Pelicot, the French woman who became a global symbol of courage and feminist resistance following the most significant rape trial in French history, has revealed that she has rediscovered love and learned to trust again — a development she once believed would never be possible.

Speaking publicly in Wales for the first time at the renowned Hay Festival, the 73-year-old captivated audiences with her remarkable story of survival, resilience, and unexpected joy.

A Decade of Abuse Brought Into the Open

Pelicot's former husband, Dominique Pelicot, is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence after it was revealed he had systematically drugged and raped her over more than a decade. During that time, he also invited a minimum of 70 other men into their home to assault her while she was unconscious and unable to consent.

Rather than shield herself behind the anonymity afforded to sexual abuse survivors, Gisèle made the courageous and deliberate choice to waive that right — a decision that ignited worldwide conversations about sexual violence, shame, and women's rights.

'The Shame Belongs to the Abusers, Not to Me'

Addressing audiences at the Hay Festival on Saturday, Pelicot was unwavering in her message: the burden of shame must rest entirely with those who commit acts of abuse, not with those who survive them.

She also shared a deeply personal revelation — that despite believing she could never again place her trust in a man, she has since fallen in love with her partner, Jean-Loup Agopian.

"It's something I didn't think was possible, especially at my age," she told the audience. "I didn't really want it to happen, but life decided otherwise. We met, our paths crossed at a certain moment, and I found this young man of 73."

Her words carried a warmth and gentle humour that resonated deeply with those in attendance.

"You see, you can fall in love at any age — it happened to me, and I'm convinced it can happen to you too," she added. "I didn't think I'd ever be able to trust a man again, but here we are. You must never despair."

Discussing Her Memoir and Vision for the Future

Pelicot appeared at the festival to speak about her memoir, A Hymn to Life, in a live on-stage interview conducted by Baroness Helena Kennedy. The conversation ranged from her personal healing journey to broader questions about the safety and rights of women worldwide.

When asked whether she harboured fears about what lies ahead for women, her response was characteristically optimistic.

"I feel very serene," she said. "I believe that men and women can live together in harmony, and I think it begins with educating our children from a very young age. Perhaps I am an optimistic person by nature, but I believe the human being is capable of moving towards peace and love."

Supporting the Fight Against Drug-Facilitated Assault

Pelicot also took the opportunity to praise the vital work of her daughter, Caroline Darian, who founded the advocacy organisation M'endors pas — meaning Don't Let Me Sleep in English. The group campaigns specifically against drug-facilitated sexual assault and provides critical support to victims of chemical submission, a cause that has become deeply personal for the entire family.

Through her public appearances, her memoir, and her unflinching willingness to speak truth to power, Gisèle Pelicot continues to inspire millions around the world — proving that even after profound trauma, hope, love, and healing remain within reach.