AVIGNON, France: Gisele Pelicot, the French woman drugged by her ex-husband so she could be raped and sexually abused by him and dozens of strangers, said on Tuesday that it was time for a “macho” society to change its attitude on rape.

“It´s time that the macho, patriarchal society that trivialises rape changes,” said Gisele Pelicot in her closing statement at the trial of her ex-husband and dozens of other men on rape charges.

“It´s time we changed the way we look at rape,” she said in the southern city of Avignon.

Since early September her ex-husband Dominique Pelicot has been in the dock along with 49 other men. Another defendant is still at large.

Gisele Pelicot has become a feminist icon by refusing to be ashamed and demanding the trial be open to the public to raise awareness about the use of drugs to commit sexual abuse.

Gisele, 71, said the marathon hearings were an examination of the “cowardice” of the men who took part in the rapes organised by her husband.

Dominique Pelicot listened, with his head bowed.

“I´ve seen people take the stand who deny rape, and some who admit it,” Gisele said.

“I want to say to these men: at what point did Mrs Pelicot give you her consent when you entered the room? At what point do you become aware of this inert body? At what point do you not report it to the police?”