Gisele Pelicot on Tuesday lambasted the cowardice of the dozens of men accused of abusing her during 10 years of mass rape organized by her husband and told the court hearing the trial France’s patriarchal society must change.

Ms Pelicot, who has attended the mass rape trial from its start in September, entered the court dressed in a dark green jacket and a colourful scarf. She was questioned by defence lawyers after the last defendant in the case, Philippe L, left the dock.

Pelicot's husband, has admitted to drugging his wife, 71, and inviting strangers to their house to rape her while she was unconscious