France has awarded the “Mazan rape case” victims the highest civil honor, with Macron publicly commending them.

According to a report by Le 20 Minutes on the 13th, the victim of the shocking “Mazan rape case” Geisele Pellicot was awarded the French Legion of Honor for her courage in the trial, which she showed against the brutality. Her unwavering resistance to the violence greatly inspired the victim community.
The 72-year-old Geisele, who suffered from rape by 51 men including her husband between 2011 and 2020, refused to remain anonymous after the shocking case was revealed. Instead, she faced the world’s gaze and cameras head-on, publicly testified in court against all the perpetrators, leading to their legal punishment. “I hope that every woman who has been raped can understand: Ms. Pellicot did it; I can too!” Geisele emphasized.
BBC reported that Geisele’s courage in exposing the crimes and appearing in court had received widespread support and recognition, ranking her among the most influential figures in the world. The trial of the “Mazan rape case” even prompted the French government to initiate new legislation on criminal law, incorporating the principle of “sexual consent” into the definition of rape. French President Emmanuel Macron also publicly praised Geisele, saying, “Her dignity and courage moved and inspired France and the world.” After the trial of the “Mazan rape case,” Geisele ceased making public statements. According to her lawyer, she is currently focusing on writing a memoir that will delve into her experiences and perspectives during this “ordeal.”
On the eve of France’s National Day on the 14th, 589 individuals with outstanding contributions across various fields were honored, including historians, scientists, writers, politicians, actors, and singers. In addition to Geisele, bestselling author Margaret Atwood, former Minister of Economy Bruno Le Maire, and actress Reine Jeanne Dupré were among the notable recipients of the honor. The French Legion of Honor is an official award bestowed upon the public by the French government, first established by Napoleon in the early 19th century and subsequently evolved multiple times to form a system of highest honors for different groups. (Global Times correspondent Dong Ming in France)