While Gisèle Pelicot encounters one of her attackers in court, what has changed within the country?

France's survivor of multiple assaults, Gisèle Pelicot, is reappearing before the judiciary at the start of the week to face a perpetrator found guilty, the sole individual who is contesting the judicial outcome from the previous year in which a total of 51 accused were convicted of assaulting her as she was, under the influence, administered by her partner in their residence.

At the time, the survivor's defiant public stance was viewed as a possible turning point in the battle against abuse. Yet within the country, that positive outlook seems to be fading.

"I will attack you should you remain here," growled a individual standing outside a medieval church in the community, the charming locale where the individuals had their home.

He'd just overheard me asking an elderly woman about the influence of the court trial on France and, while promising to break our camera too, was now explaining that the town was tired of being linked to one of the world's most notorious sexual assault cases.

Several days prior, the mayor of Mazan had released a softer interpretation of the same argument, in a public statement that portrayed the survivor's prolonged suffering as "a personal situation… that has no connection to our community."

One may appreciate the leader's wish to safeguard the community's image and its visitor sector. Yet it should be pointed out that a prior year, he'd garnered attention nationwide after he'd told me, twice, in an interview, that he sought to "play down" the seriousness of Gisèle Pelicot's ordeals because "no-one was killed", and no children were involved.

Furthermore it is important to observe that the vast majority of the ladies we were able to interview in Mazan recently disagreed with the mayor's desire to view the legal matter as, mostly, something to "get past."

Having a smoke in a shadowed entrance near the religious building, a public employee in her thirties, who identified herself as Aurélie, communicated with open resentment.

"People no longer discuss it, including in this town. It appears to be forgotten. I am acquainted with a person going through domestic violence right now. But women hide it. They fear the men who commit these acts," she expressed, adding that she was "certain" that additional the assailants were still at large, and free, in the area.

Walking nearby past a couple of cats enjoying the warmth, a different individual, 68, was equally keen to talk, but had a contrasting opinion of the proceedings.

"Globally things are changing. The country is advancing." Due to the survivor's actions? "Absolutely. It has given impetus, for women to express themselves openly," she shared with me, assertively.

Throughout the nation, there is no doubt that the attention spawned by Gisèle Pelicot's internationally transmitted commitment that "shame should change sides" - from victim to rapist – has provided added momentum to a campaign against assault earlier activated by the activist campaign.

"I would say changing behavior is something that needs a long time. [But] the Pelicot case sparked a huge, historic mobilisation… opposing assault, and combating lack of accountability," remarked an activist, who co-ordinates a network of multiple women's groups in France. "We're focused on educating specialists, assisting survivors, on examinations."

"Absolutely, the country has evolved. The cases of abuse has tripled, indicating that those affected – ladies and young women – they speak up and they seek legal recourse," affirmed a spokesperson, representative of the group promoting gender equality.

And yet, the vigor and hope that engulfed the survivor the previous winter, as she exited the judicial building and into a scrum of supporters, have not brought about many substantive changes to the approach the authorities tackles the challenge of sexual violence.

In fact, there is a near consensus among advocates and professionals that things are, instead, deteriorating.

"Sadly, officials take no action," commented the advocate, highlighting data demonstrating that numbers of guilty verdicts are stagnating notwithstanding a notable surge in cases of assault.

"The picture is bleak. There is opposition. Notions supporting assault are resurfacing significantly. This is evident in the men's rights activism gaining traction, especially with youth," continued the activist,