A French court sentenced Dominique Pelicot, the former husband of Gisèle Pelicot, to 20 years in prison for drugging and raping her, and facilitating her rape by other men while she was unconscious, in a decade-long ordeal.
Dominique Pelicot received the maximum sentence under French law, at age 72, potentially spending the remainder of his life in prison. He cannot seek early release until two-thirds of the sentence is served.
Gisèle Pelicot addressed the public outside the court, voicing her respect for the court and its verdict. Speaking to victims of similar experiences, she remarked, “We have the same struggle… often in the shadows.” She expressed gratitude to her supporters, acknowledging that their words moved her and gave her the strength to attend the trial daily.
She mentioned that she never regretted waiving her anonymity and “opening the doors” to the trial, allowing society to see the truth.
“I have confidence in our capacity collectively to find a better future in which men and women alike can live harmoniously together with mutual respect,” she concluded.
The case shocked France, prompting a national reflection on rape culture. Judge Roger Arata, presiding in Avignon, ordered Pelicot to stand for sentencing, after which he wept. Arata methodically read the verdicts for Pelicot and the 50 other defendants. Gisèle Pelicot’s bravery during the three-month trial made her a symbol for anti-sexual violence advocates globally.
Dominique Pelicot’s lawyer, Béatrice Zavarro, is considering an appeal but expressed hope that the verdicts bring Gisèle Pelicot peace.
Of the 50 men accused, only one was acquitted of rape but found guilty of aggravated sexual assault. Another was convicted of sexual assault, resulting in all 51 defendants being found guilty.
Prosecutors had sought 20-year sentences for Dominique Pelicot and 10 to 18 years for others. However, the court issued lighter sentences, ranging from three to 15 years, with some partially suspended.
Dominique Pelicot admitted to drugging his wife to enable himself and others, whom he contacted online, to abuse her while he recorded the acts. The abuse, endured by Gisèle Pelicot, now a 72-year-old grandmother, has transformed her into a national feminist hero.
The trial, spanning over three months, energised anti-sexual violence advocates and highlighted the need for stricter measures against rape culture. The defendants were implicated in Dominique Pelicot’s abuse fantasies, enacted in their retirement home in Mazan and elsewhere.
Pelicot testified that he drugged his wife to render her unconscious for hours. One defendant received a 12-year sentence for drugging and raping his own wife, facilitated by Dominique Pelicot, who was also found guilty of raping that man’s wife.
The judges’ majority vote determined the convictions and sentences. Activists hoped for severe penalties to signify a turning point in combating sexual violence and the use of drugs against victims.
Gisèle Pelicot’s decision to waive her anonymity and insist on public hearings with explicit evidence, including videos, has sparked national discourse on protecting women and the role of men in this effort.
Dominique Pelicot first came to police attention in September 2020 for voyeurism. His arrest led to the discovery of a vast collection of abusive images of his wife, totalling over 20,000, leading to the other defendants’ identification. Investigators identified 72 abusers from the videos, though not all were charged.
Some defendants acknowledged their guilt, while others denied it despite video evidence, sparking a debate in France on the legal definition of rape and consent. Some argued that Dominique Pelicot’s consent applied to his wife, while others claimed they were misled into believing the acts were consensual.
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