On 19 December 2024, newspapers around the world published headlines and laudatory papers in favour of 72-year-old French woman Gisèle Pelicot, drugged and raped by her husband, who for over a decade, invited dozens of men to rape her at their home. At the announcement of the verdict, many newspapers praised her courage. 180 media, including 86 international, were present on site to cover the trial.
Praising her bravery, international leaders rushed to thank Gisèle Pelicot for refusing to be shamed and exposing the pervasiveness of sexual violence. “Thank you, Gisèle Pelicot!” the German chancellor, OlafOLAF, the European Anti-Fraud Office, investigates fraud against the EU budget, corruption and serious misconduct within the European institutions, and develops anti-fraud policy for the European Commission. More Schol wrote. “You courageously went from anonymity to a public figure and fought for justice. You gave women around the world a strong voice. The shame always lies with the perpetrator.” The Spanish prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, said: “What dignity. Thank you, Gisèle Pelicot.”
The ex-husband, Dominique Pélicot was sentenced to 20 years in prison for drugging and raping Gisèle, as well as filming her rape by dozens of men he recruited online. 50 other defendants were sentenced to up to 15 years amounting to over 400 years in total.
Gisèle’s decision to waive her anonymity and speak publicly about her experiences has sparked national and international conversations about the systemic changes needed to support survivors of abuse. Her bravery has highlighted the importance of comprehensive support systems that address not only the immediate safety of survivors but also their long-term financial stability and independence. The case has also shed light on the need for legal reforms to better protect victims and hold perpetrators accountable.
Praising her bravery, international leaders rushed to thank Gisèle Pelicot for refusing to be shamed and exposing the pervasiveness of sexual violence. “Thank you, Gisèle Pelicot!” the German chancellor, Olaf Scholz wrote. “You courageously went from anonymity to a public figure and fought for justice. You gave women around the world a strong voice. The shame always lies with the perpetrator.” The Spanish prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, said: “What dignity. Thank you, Gisèle Pelicot.”
Domestic abuse is a widespread issue affecting millions of people worldwide. The World Health Organsiationreports that nearly 1 in 3 women worldwide have been subjected to physical and/or sexual violence by an intimate partner or non-partner. This statistic underscores the pervasive nature of sexual violence against women globally. While abuse can take many forms, including physical, emotional, and psychological, financial abuse often serves as an invisible chain that binds victims to their abusers.
Financial abuse can include controlling access to moneyFrom the Latin word moneta, nickname that was given by Romans to the goddess Juno because there was a minting workshop next to her temple. Money is any item that is generally accepted as payment for goods and services and repayment of debts, such as taxes, in a particular region, country or socio-economic context. Its onset dates back to the origins of humanity and its physical representation has taken on very varied forms until the appearance of metal coins. The banknote, a typical representati... More, sabotaging employment opportunities, or creating debt in the victim’s name. In this context, access to cashMoney in physical form such as banknotes and coins. More becomes a critical lifeline for victims seeking to escape abusive situations and rebuild their lives.
Financial abuse is a common, yet often overlooked, component of domestic violence. Studies by the US-based National Network to End Domestic Violence suggest that up to 99% of domestic violence cases involve some form of financial abuse. It is a powerful tool for abusers, as it creates dependency and limits the victim’s ability to leave the relationship. Financial abuse can take several forms:
These tactics create a financial trap that makes it difficult for victims to leave abusive environments, even if they have the desire and courage to do so.
Cash—untraceable, immediate, and universally accepted—can be a vital tool for victims of domestic abuse. Unlike electronic payments or credit, cash transactions leave no digital footprint, offering a layer of anonymity that can be crucial for victims planning their escape:
Lisa King, Director of Communications at Refuge, UK’s leading charity providing services to survivors of domestic violence and abuse believes that “Having lack of access to cash is one of the ways in which women are financially controlled… it prevents a woman from leaving her perpetrator. It prevents her from being able to make choices she can because she hasn’t got access to funds… Cash is an essential kind of lifeline for women and children.”
Cash plays a vital role in protecting victims of domestic abuse, offering a lifeline that can help them escape dangerous situations and begin the process of rebuilding their lives. By addressing the financial aspects of abuse and providing robust support systems, we can empower survivors to achieve independence and break the cycle of violence. Ending domestic abuse requires collective action, and ensuring access to financial resources is a crucial part of the solution.