Thousands sign UK petition for Pelicot to win Nobel Peace Prize

Thousands of people on Thursday signed a UK petition calling for Frenchwoman Gisele Pelicot to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, for her response to the discovery that she had been drugged and raped for a decade by her now ex-husband and strangers he enlisted online.

"Nobody deserves the Nobel Peace Prize more than Pelicot. Now is the time to make sure the Nobel Committee and those few people permitted to make nominations take action," wrote Catherine Mayer, who launched the appeal on change.org.

Pelicot, 72, was drugged by her ex-husband so she could be raped and sexually abused by him and dozens of strangers while she was asleep over many years.

She has become a heroine, admired by women around the world for her strength and fortitude during the trial that last month led to the convictions of her ex-husband, Dominique Pelicot, and 50 other abusers.

"It is hard to think of any form of violence that poses a greater challenge to peace than sexual violence. It is gendered and endemic," said Mayer.

"Gisele Pelicot cut through the smog of misinformation in waiving her anonymity to attend the trial of her attackers and give testimony," she added.

The petition was launched in English on December 20 but suddenly gained traction over recent days.

More than 18,000 people signed on Thursday alone, bringing the total number to 34,324.

The petition appeared on the site in French on Wednesday.

Mayer is a writer, activist and the co-founder of the Women's Equality Party.