At the initiative of the association UN Women France, a platform equipped with a petition calls on men to unite against this scourge. One of the authors of the text is none other than David Pelicot, one of the signatories is actor Bruno Solo.
Ahead of demonstrations against violence against women, scheduled for Saturday, and a few days before the international day against this scourge (25 November), UN Women France launched an appeal to men. This Thursday, in the form of petitions and forums, the association urgently calls for the mobilization of men in this struggle. “Human silence must end”, reads the title of the text, considering the ever-increasing number of victims. “Gentlemen, no longer be spectators of violence, be actors of change,” stressed Carlotta Gradin, president of UN Women France. In fact, this observation is worrying. According to the report of the Inter-Ministerial Mission for the Protection of Women (Miprof), published this Thursday, 107 women were victims of partner femicide in 2024, compared to 96 in 2023.
Among the column’s editors is David Pelicot, Gisèle’s son, who has recently become involved with the association. One of the signatories of the text, which notably bears the name of host Nagui or chef Mory Sacko, was introduced to him before our eyes in the Paris office of Charlotte Saint-Arroman, the association’s executive director. This is actor Bruno Solo who is also known as a spokesperson for domestic violence victims. A meeting between two men, convinced of the need for male involvement.
David Pelicot, how did you come to work at UN Women France?
DAVID PELICOT. I met Charlotte Saint-Arroman at an evening focused on violence against women. I then intervened. He immediately suggested that I work with the association on the need for men to be involved in this cause. He’s right: we should all be concerned about this social fact. Some associations don’t want us, but I think we will achieve it together.
We imagine your personal story plays an important role in this commitment?
D.P Violence against women and girls, both in our country and around the world, is a topic that has always vexed me. Unfortunately, through our family history, it affected me more and more. What struck me, from the first two weeks of Mazan’s trial, was the absence of the men. Where are they but supporting us? Based on these observations, and as the son of Dominique Pelicot, I said to myself: we must react quickly, change the line. For a long time, the struggle against violence against women has been led by women. Today, men also have to overcome this scourge.
And you, Bruno Solo, where does your involvement come from?
BRUNO SOLO. We can no longer pretend to ignore what is happening. There are enough cases coming out, literature on the issue, associations dealing with this that men continue to say “not all men” (“not all men”). I was lucky to be educated by a mother and father who were very involved in fighting this injustice. They are scouts.
What do you think about the loneliness David felt during the trial, the absence of a man’s words?
BS It made me rebel. Yes, this is our problem, more than a woman’s problem, because most attacks come from men (97% in rape cases).
D.P It’s not a matter of putting them all in the same basket, otherwise they would never be among us. I prefer to say to men: “C‘You are the solution. » This is my optimistic side. We want to raise awareness, unite them, unite them in this struggle…
BS But we will still stop infantilizing them. We are not asking them to feel targeted but to show solidarity. For years, women have been asking them to think about their status as dominant men, and they are tired of not being listened to. I don’t want to say to a woman who has just been attacked: “But we’re not all like that. » That’s not what they expect from us, that can’t be the answer. Too many men hide behind this phrase.
In this call, you place special emphasis on the younger generation…
BS We know that more and more children are sensitive to discourses of masculinity. Parents need to be very vigilant, especially regarding access to pornography whose content assumes that “no” is not really no. From the beginning, I warned my child about this, talking about consent, respect, equality. We must educate our sons, and also our daughters, not to submit.
D.P As I wait for the speeches of people like Bruno, I tell myself that what we are doing makes sense. I am very proud of this platform. I hope this message will have an impact, and most importantly, yes, among our sons. The Mazan trial should remain a compass for future generations.
BS Mazan is not just news but a social problem.
What would you say to someone who asked you: “What real thing can I do?” »
BS I think he should first know how to listen without having the “yes, but not me” reflex. Listen to what the suffering person says to you! That’s the least we can do.
D.P I completely agree. However, I get the impression that there are more men interested in this subject. Come to information and prevention meetings, read… We can and must be legitimate in this fight.
David Pelicot, do you realize that with the name you bear, you are heard more?
D.P Maybe… Due to the force of circumstances. We are ordinary people who experienced something extraordinary, unfortunately in a bad way. But, yes, I chose to lead this fight while keeping the Pelicot name, even though at one point we asked ourselves whether to keep it.
