Commenting on the French rape trial that has led to almost 50 men being sentenced today (Thursday) to more than 400 years in prison, UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea said:
“People everywhere salute the bravery of Gisele Pelicot for confronting the evil, barbaric acts of her husband and the dozens of men who raped her.
“It’s impossible to understand how she’s coped with her ordeal and processed the years of abuse she’s suffered. But her actions have broken barriers for many other victims.
“UNISON is the largest women’s representative organisation in the UK, with more than a million women members, and the union pays tribute to Gisele Pelicot’s courage and dignity.
“Violence against women and girls is endemic across the world. They face taunts, abuse, threats and physical harm on a daily basis. This behaviour is dangerous and intolerable.
“Governments everywhere must take a lead in ending the violence and discrimination that’s far too common.
“Laws must be fit for purpose, support must be given to victims but critically the culture that allows this behaviour to happen must be challenged.”
Notes to editors:
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union and the largest union in the NHS and in the ambulance sector, with more than 1.3 million members providing public services – in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors.
Media contacts:
Anthony Barnes M: 07834 864794 E: a.barnes@unison.co.uk
Fatima Ayad M: 07508 080383 E: f.ayad@unison.co.uk
The article Cultural change is needed to protect women from abuse first appeared on the UNISON National site.
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