France vows to tackle domestic and sexual violence amid Pelicot case

France's government has promised new measures to support women, a move that comes in response to a mass rape trial that has shocked the nation.

The pledge, from the country's equalities minister, came after mass protests in the run-up to the international day for the elimination of violence against women. 

Salima Saa said the government will officially announce the widening of the policy of allowing women to file sexual assault complaints at hospitals.

The complaints will be possible at medical facilities which have an emergency department or a gynecological department - a total of 377 hospitals across the country.

"Don't hesitate to go through the door of a hospital, or the door of a police station," said Saa. "We are here to welcome you, to support you."

Thousands of people joined marches across the country at the weekend for protests against sexual violence and sexual discrimination.

"There are lots of things to change," said Michele Even, a retired teacher who attended the demonstration in Paris. "There's the education of young boys, throughout life, we have to change things. It will be hard, but it's possible."

This year's demonstrations to mark the international day for the elimination of violence against women took on a new meaning in France.

That is because of an ongoing mass rape trial that has shocked the country and the world.

The woman at the center of it, Gisele Pelicot, has become a symbol of France's fight against sexual violence and the ongoing problem of drug-induced assault.

"This trial obviously came as a shock to the entire French population," said Yelena Mandengue, a lawyer and member of the feminist collective 'Nous Toutes'.

"It was a shock because of the facts, but it wasn't a surprise for us - for women, gender minorities, activists. The reality of this trial is something we've been denouncing for some time in the feminist movement."

Ms Pelicot waived her right to anonymity and has attended the trial in person - and in doing so has become a feminist icon in the fight against sexual abuse.

51 men, including her ex-husband, are being tried on charges of raping Ms Pelicot over the course of a decade while she laid unconscious after her husband drugged her with sleeping pills.

Dominique Pelicot has admitted to recruiting strangers online to have sex with his wife, and filming the alleged abuse.

35 of the defendants completely deny taking part in rape, saying they thought Gisele Pelicot was pretending to sleep, or that they believed that they were taking part in a couple's fantasy game.

The defendants face up to 20 years in jail if found guilty. The trial in the southern city of Avignon is expected to last until December 20.