Avignon, France: In a case that has shaken France and drawn global attention, Dominique Pelicot, 72, was sentenced to 20 years in prison on Thursday for drugging and repeatedly raping his wife, Gisele Pelicot, over nearly a decade. He also facilitated the rape of his unconscious wife by dozens of strangers, an appalling act that left the courtroom and the world in shock.
The trial in the southern French city of Avignon also saw all 50 co-defendants found guilty of crimes ranging from rape and attempted rape to sexual assault. Gisele, now a symbol of resilience and courage, waived her anonymity and was present in the courtroom for the sentencing.
A French court found Dominique Pelicot guilty of repeatedly drugging and raping his wife for almost a decade, and inviting dozens of strangers to rape her unconscious body in a case that has horrified the world https://t.co/uCgSuubs1b pic.twitter.com/IqvYd9Vkrz
— Reuters (@Reuters) December 19, 2024
A Symbol of Strength
Gisele, 72, addressed the crowd of supporters outside the courthouse after the verdict. “This trial was a very difficult ordeal,” she said. “I now have confidence in our ability to collectively seize a future in which each woman and man can live in harmony with respect and mutual understanding. I thank you.”
Her determination during the three-month trial inspired protests across France and reignited debates on the need to reform the nation’s rape laws, which currently lack explicit consent requirements.
Gisele Pelicot said that she ‘never regretted’ the decision to make her trial public, after a French court found her ex-husband Dominique Pelicot and fifty other men guilty of raping her across a decade https://t.co/PavN7qgMVJ pic.twitter.com/NvutNvKd54
— Reuters (@Reuters) December 19, 2024
Sentencing and Reactions
Dominique Pelicot pleaded guilty to the charges. A panel of five judges sentenced him to the maximum term of 20 years, while the other defendants received sentences ranging from three to 15 years, less than the prosecution’s demand for four to 18 years.
“Shame on the justice system,” chanted some of the crowd outside upon learning of the lighter-than-expected sentences. Gisele, however, expressed respect for the court’s decisions.
Many defendants claimed they believed the encounters were part of a consensual sex game orchestrated by the couple. Dominique Pelicot denied misleading the men, stating during his testimony, “I am a rapist like the others in this room.”
Chilling Details
The abuse came to light in 2020 when Dominique was caught attempting to take illicit photos of women in a supermarket. Investigators later uncovered over 20,000 photos and videos on his computer, exposing the extent of the crimes.
Police believe as many as 72 men were involved in the abuse, but not all could be identified. The defendants included individuals from diverse professions, ranging from lorry drivers and soldiers to journalists and unemployed workers, all living within a 50-kilometer radius of the Pelicots’ village of Mazan.
Gisele testified that she had been unknowingly drugged with powerful tranquilizers, which left her unconscious for hours. She initially feared her memory lapses were due to Alzheimer’s or a brain tumor.
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Determined to Inspire Change
Gisele’s steadfastness throughout the trial left an indelible mark. She demanded that disturbing videos of the abuse be shown in court, believing it could encourage other victims to speak up.
“It’s not courage. It’s determination to change things,” she told the court in October. “This is not just my battle, but that of all rape victims.”
The trial has prompted nationwide discussions about sexual violence and the legal definitions of consent in France.
