Gisele Pelicot, who courageously testified in court about being drugged and gang-raped by her husband and a group of men, is set to release a memoir in January 2026. The memoir, titled A Hymn To Life, will be published in English, French, and 20 other languages by UK publisher Bodley Head.
In a case that gained global attention, 51 men were convicted of rape and assault in Avignon, France, with prison sentences ranging from three to 20 years. The trial sparked widespread protests in France against violence targeting women and girls.
Gisele Pelicot’s former husband, Dominique Pelicot, and most of his co-defendants were found guilty of sexually assaulting her for nearly a decade by drugging her. Another individual was convicted of raping his own spouse with Dominique Pelicot’s assistance.
At the age of 72, Gisele Pelicot announced her memoir, expressing gratitude for the overwhelming support she received. She aims to share her story to inspire strength and resilience in others facing challenging circumstances.
Gisele Pelicot was commended for her bravery for demanding an open court trial, which included disturbing videos filmed by Dominique Pelicot showing the abuse at their home and elsewhere.
It was revealed in court that many of the perpetrators were invited by Dominique Pelicot online, with police suspecting a total of 72 individuals participating in the assaults, although not all were identified.
During the trial, it emerged that the Pelicots’ daughter, Caroline Darian, had been secretly photographed nude by her father, leading her to describe him as a significant sexual predator. She shared emotional testimony about discovering the explicit images of herself.
Caroline Darian has since filed a legal complaint against her father. Gisele Pelicot was recognized as the most influential person in France in 2024 and was honored by Time magazine for advocating for better treatment of abuse victims.
For victims of sexual assault seeking help, resources are available through www.rapecrisis.org.uk or the national helpline at 0808 802 9999.