The Pelicot Trial

A number of concerns have been raised with CWJ about Harriet Wistrich’s participation in The Pelicot Trial: Tribute to Gisèle Pelicot, presented by the Young Vic at London County Hall. These include concerns about the exploitation of Gisèle Pelicot’s experiences and the potential for accounts of sexual violence to be used for sexualised or voyeuristic purposes. We take these concerns seriously. We understand that, for some, our participation raises questions of feminist principle and trust in CWJ, as well as causing distress.

For context, the production is a reading of testimony, court extracts and journalistic accounts, not a fictionalised dramatisation. Its factual format does not make the material any less sensitive or mean it will feel appropriate for everyone. It has been performed internationally, including in Avignon and New York, where Gisèle Pelicot attended a performance. Its creators say she agreed to the production to help continue the conversation her trial began. Her choice matters, but it does not speak for other victim-survivors or diminish anyone else’s concerns.

Our feminist commitment is unequivocal: to challenge male violence against women and girls, oppose the exploitation of victim-survivors, and hold the state to account for failures to prevent that violence and respond effectively. Harriet was invited to take part because of her decades long experience in challenging violence against women and girls and holding the state accountable.  She is taking part to advance that purpose. Responsibility for abuse rests with perpetrators, never victim-survivors; state institutions must also answer for their own failures. We recognise that people who share these commitments may disagree with our decision to participate.

CWJ has not organised the production and has had no input into the selection of other performers. We explain this to be clear about our role, not to dismiss concerns about our involvement.

We support Gisèle Pelicot’s wish to keep this conversation going and her message that the shame belongs to those who commit sexual violence, not those subjected to it. Sexual violence must never be trivialised or sensationalised, nor victim-survivors’ suffering exploited. Supporting her choice to speak publicly also means respecting every victim-survivor’s right to privacy and to decide whether, when and how to share their own experience. No one owes anyone their story, and no one should feel expected to watch, support or welcome this production.