“Shame must change sides” : Giselle Pelicot – reframing the “victim”

Abstract

The trial of Giselle Pelicot has reverberated globally, not merely due to the horrific nature of the crimes committed against her, but because of her refusal to remain a silent victim by waiving her right to anonymity and choosing to face her abusers in open court. This presentation examines how Giselle’s Pelicot’s declaration that “Shame must change sides”; serves as a pivotal mechanism for re-conceptualising sexual violence. Historically, systemic structures have internalised shame within the survivor, effectively silencing them and shielding perpetrators. Through an analysis of her court testimonies and public stance, this session will demonstrate how Pelicot’s agency transforms the courtroom from a space of trauma-revisiting to an arena of restorative justice. We will explore how this shift from passive victimhood to active agency challenges the legal and sociological frameworks of sexual abuse. By centering Pelicot’s voice, we identify a paradigm shift that empowers survivors to reclaim their narratives. This presentation argues that her refusal to hide is a foundational step in dismantling the stigma that perpetuates sexual violence, offering a new, empowered roadmap for clinical sexology and psychosexual therapy.