A French court sentenced Dominique Pelicot to 20 years in prison for drugging his ex-wife Gisele Pelicot and facilitating her repeated rape by dozens of men over nearly a decade. Dominique Pelicot’s trial involving 49 other men convicted alongside him has been labeled the most significant rape case in French history.
During the trial in Avignon, 72-year-old Gisele Pelicot gave up her anonymity to confront her assailants. Because of her bravery, she is now a strong voice for victims of sexual abuse. During her testimony last month, Gisele stated that she wants the world to know what happened, “I will have to live with this for the rest of my life.”
In an effort to break the taboo around systemic abuse, Gisele requested that the proceedings be held in public. The case’s shocking details have spurred national outrage and highlighted widespread abuse.
Dominique Pelicot drugged his then-wife with sleeping pills, filming men of varying ages and professions as they assaulted her. The perpetrators included soldiers, firefighters, nurses, journalists, and bakers, spanning diverse walks of French life.
Supporters rallied around Pelicot, with women in France declaring, “We are all Gisele” as protests erupted against pervasive rape culture. France’s National Assembly President Yael Braun-Pivet praised Pelicot for exposing these atrocities, calling her actions transformative for society.
According to defense attorneys, some convicted men, including Dominique, have 10 days to appeal their sentences. However, Pelicot’s bravery has already inspired broader scrutiny of sexual abuse and rape laws in France. The Dominique Pelicot’s trial has also sparked discussions about justice accountability and survivor empowerment on a global scale.
