As Gisèle Pelicot faces one of her rapists during legal proceedings, what has changed in France?
France's individual subjected to numerous attacks, the woman at the center of the case, is reappearing before the judiciary at the start of the week to face a perpetrator found guilty, the only man who is contesting last year's trial verdict in which a group of 51 individuals were found guilty of assaulting her as she was, under the influence, due to her spouse in their residence.
During that period, the survivor's public resistance was regarded as a potential trigger in the struggle with sexual violence. However across the nation, that positive outlook looks to be diminishing.
"I'll smash your head in if you don't leave now," growled a man standing outside a historic church in the community, the scenic area where the couple previously resided.
He'd just overheard me questioning an older lady about the influence of the legal proceedings on the nation and, while threatening to destroy our camera too, was now clarifying that the community was fed up with being linked to one of the globally infamous legal proceedings for assault.
Earlier in the week, the mayor of Mazan had put forth a more diplomatic statement of the same argument, in a official announcement that depicted Gisèle Pelicot's prolonged suffering as "a private matter… that has nothing to do with us."
One can well understand the official's wish to safeguard the community's image and its travel business. Yet it should be pointed out that a year earlier, he'd received coverage nationwide after he'd stated to me on two occasions, in an conversation, that he aimed to "minimize" the seriousness of Gisèle Pelicot's ordeals because "there were no fatalities", and no children were involved.
It is also worth noting that nearly every one of the ladies we were able to interview in the community last week did not share the mayor's desire to see the Pelicot case as, primarily, something to "move beyond."
Having a smoke in a shaded doorway not far from the religious building, a 33-year-old civil servant, who provided the name Aurélie, spoke with open resentment.
"People no longer discuss it, within this community. It seems like it never occurred. I know someone suffering from family abuse currently. Yet ladies keep it secret. They are scared of the persons who engage in such behavior," she stated, adding that she was "convinced" that more of the attackers were still at large, and unapprehended, in the neighbourhood.
Walking nearby near a few felines soaking up the sun, Aurore Baralier, 68, was just as eager to converse, but had a contrasting opinion of the proceedings.
"Society is progressing. France is evolving." Because of the individual's stance? "Yes. It's been a boost, for women to speak freely," she informed me, with conviction.
Across France, there is no doubt that the publicity produced by Gisèle Pelicot's globally broadcast resolve that "embarrassment must transfer" - from survivor to perpetrator – has provided added momentum to a movement opposing assault previously invigorated by the social initiative.
"In my opinion changing behavior is something that takes generations. [But] the legal matter ignited a huge, historic mobilisation… opposing assault, and combating lack of accountability," stated a coordinator, who manages a coalition of multiple women's groups in the nation. "We're focused on training professionals, supporting victims, on inquiries."
"Absolutely, the country has evolved. The reports of assaults has grown significantly, showing that those affected – ladies and young women – they speak up and they want justice," affirmed Céline Piques, representative of the NGO "Dare to be feminist".
And yet, the energy and optimism that overwhelmed Gisèle Pelicot the previous winter, as she left the judicial building and into a group of backers, have failed to result in many meaningful reforms to the approach the national government addresses the issue of abuse.
Actually, there is a near consensus among advocates and professionals that conditions are, rather, declining.
"Sadly, officials take no action," said the spokesperson, highlighting figures demonstrating that conviction rates are flat-lining in spite of a significant increase in reported rape cases.
"The outlook is grim. There is resistance. Beliefs enabling abuse are coming back very strongly. This is apparent through the men's rights activism rising in popularity, especially with young boys and teenagers," added the coordinator,
