Gisèle Pelicot: After Everything That Happened... I Didn’t Expect To Fall In Love Again | Pt. 2
6/25/202621 min
In Part 1 of Gisèle Pelicot’s story, she spoke to Davina about her life before the world knew her name, the marriage she believed she had, and the moment she began to discover the truth of what had happened to her.
This is Part 2 of Gisèle Pelicot’s story on Begin Again.
Gisèle opens up about the public and private aftermath of the case, the impact on her children, and the pain of having to tell her family that their lives had changed forever.
Gisèle reflects on why she chose to waive her right to anonymity, what it meant to let the world know her name, and why speaking publicly became a way to help other women feel less alone. She talks about the trial, the women who wrote to her, the strength she found in their support, and the responsibility she felt to challenge the shame too often carried by victims.
Davina and Gisèle also speak about rebuilding after trauma: staying connected to her family, finding love again, learning to trust, processing anger, and holding on to hope without denying the pain of what happened.
This episode includes discussion of sexual assault, drugging, trauma, court proceedings, and abuse, which some viewers may find difficult. Please watch with care.
At its heart, Part 2 is a conversation about courage, justice, love, and the power of refusing to carry shame that was never yours.
Gisèle Pelicot reminds us that speaking the truth can help others feel less alone, and that beginning again can also mean standing up, not only for yourself, but for every woman who has been taught to stay silent.
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Audiobook (read by Emma Thompson):
https://open.spotify.com/show/1Gy9pylmMgYWm6zOvcvv6Y?si=d3f1f19009134671
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(00:00) Do Health Ad
(01:11) Episode Introduction
(01:42) Part 1 Recap
(02:29) Gisele Explains Why She Thinks It Was Hard For Some People To Believe Her Story, But Also How It's Helped Others
(03:53) What It Was Like For Gisele To Tell Her Children What Their Father Had Done
(06:49) Why Gisele Continued To Live In The Same House And Sleep In The Same Bed
(09:09) Why Gisele Tries To Hold On To The Positives Despite Her Abuse
(09:44) Why Gisele Decided To Go Public Later In The Trial
(10:39) Gisele On Preparing To Face Her Attackers In Court And Watching The Videos Of Them Raping Her
(12:13) How Gisele Fell In Love Again After Her Traumatic Experience, And Her Continued Faith In Humanity
(13:55) Gisele On Wanting To Speak With Her Ex-Husband One Day
(14:40) How Happy Gisele Is That Her Relationship With Her Children Is Repairing
(15:49) Why Gisele's Lack Of Memory Of Her Attacks Makes Things Easier For Her
(17:46) Davina Emphasises The Importance Of Gisele's Book
(18:42) Davina Thanks Gisele For Her Bravery In Telling Her Story
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Clips
Transcript preview
First 90 secondsDavina McCall· Host0:00
I've partnered with Due Health for this episode, and I want to tell you why. Forty-six percent of Due Health members showed signs of hidden cardiovascular risk after doing their blood test. Forty-six percent. And do you know what? They had absolutely no idea. No symptoms, no big dramatic warning. And look, I get why people put this stuff off, because results can feel really scary. You know, you think, "What if I find out something I can't unknow?" But finding things early can change everything, and that's what's great about what Dr. Rongend has done with Due Health. This app gives you something clear enough to question, understand, and then act on. It checks your blood three times a year, including lots of things many of us have never even been tested for, and then it explains what your body is telling you, clearly and calmly, and then gives you a weekly plan with an in-app coach, so you know what to do next. Not more worry. It's a way forward. Go to duehealth.co/beginagain and use code BEGINAGAIN to lock in early access pricing. [beep] Gisèle Pelicot became known publicly in 2024 when she waived her right to anonymity in the sexual assault case that shocked France and the world. Today, she joins me to share her story. This episode does include details of Gisèle's case, parts of which may be difficult for some of you, so please watch with care.