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Chamber and committees

Women Across Scotland Stand With Gisèle Pelicot

  • Submitted by: Tess White, North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party.
  • Date lodged: Thursday, 28 November 2024
  • Motion reference: S6M-15606

That the Parliament pays tribute to Gisèle Pelicot, who waived her anonymity during the trial of her husband and other alleged abusers in Avignon, France, who are accused of mass rape, to shine a light on the pervasiveness of sexual violence; considers that the public trial has forced a worldwide debate on societal attitudes and beliefs surrounding rape and sexual abuse, including what constitutes sexual consent, as well as the men who perpetrate these heinous crimes and the circumstances in which they occur; regrets that it is necessary to continue to challenge what, it believes, are deeply regressive and harmful societal attitudes to sexual violence, from victim-blaming to shaming; notes with concern that the justice system can be traumatic, isolating and stigmatising for survivors of sexual crime, and believes that much more must be done to support victims of rape and sexual assault; highlights reports of Madame Pelicot’s testimony during the trial that “it’s not for us to have shame, it’s for them”, adding that she does not want women who have been raped “to be ashamed any longer”, and believes that Madame Pelicot’s courage, bravery, dignity and determination in the face of unimaginable adversity have inspired women in Scotland and across the world, who stand with her, shoulder to shoulder, in strength and solidarity.


Supported by: Clare Adamson, Jeremy Balfour, Miles Briggs, Foysol Choudhury, Sharon Dowey, Tim Eagle, Annabelle Ewing, Russell Findlay, Murdo Fraser, Meghan Gallacher, Dr. Sandesh Gulhane, Craig Hoy, Liam Kerr, Stephen Kerr, Bill Kidd, Monica Lennon, Douglas Lumsden, Michael Marra, Stuart McMillan, Pauline McNeill, Douglas Ross, Alexander Stewart, Paul Sweeney, Michelle Thomson, Annie Wells, Brian Whittle