A court in Avignon, France, delivered a significant ruling on Thursday, sentencing Gisèle Pelicot’s former husband, Dominique Pelicot, to 20 years in prison for drugging and raping her. This abuse, which lasted nearly ten years, included enabling other men to assault her while she was incapacitated. The sentence is the maximum allowable under French law, and given Dominique Pelicot’s age of 72, it is likely he will spend the rest of his life behind bars, as he will be ineligible for early release until he has served two-thirds of the term.
The case has sent shockwaves throughout France, prompting a nationwide dialogue regarding the pervasive issue of rape culture. During the sentencing, lead judge Roger Arata ordered Pelicot to rise as the verdicts were read. After hearing his fate, Pelicot was seen sitting down and weeping. Arata methodically read through the charges against Pelicot and the other 50 defendants involved in the case. Gisèle Pelicot, who demonstrated remarkable bravery and resilience throughout the extensive hearings that unfolded over three months, has emerged as a symbol for those fighting against sexual violence, garnering attention even beyond French borders.
As Judge Arata pronounced him guilty of aggravated rape against Gisèle Pelicot, she was present in the courtroom, displaying a calm demeanor and occasionally nodding in acknowledgment. The lengthy process of delivering the verdicts took just over an hour. Dominique Pelicot’s attorney, Béatrice Zavarro, mentioned the possibility of an appeal but expressed hope that the court’s decision would bring some semblance of peace to Gisèle Pelicot, stating, “I wanted Mrs. Pelicot to emerge from these hearings in peace, and I think that the verdicts will contribute to this relief for Mrs. Pelicot.”
Out of the 51 men tried, only one was acquitted but was found guilty of aggravated sexual assault, while another was convicted of sexual assault. Thus, all defendants faced some form of conviction. In a side room, family members of the defendants reacted with shock and tears upon hearing the sentences as they were displayed on screens.
Protesters gathered outside the courthouse, following the proceedings on their devices and cheering with applause as verdicts were announced. Some protesters carried oranges, a symbolic gesture reflecting their disdain for the defendants as they faced incarceration. Prosecutors had called for the maximum sentences for Dominique Pelicot and for other defendants involved, but the judges opted for more lenient sentences in many cases, with most receiving terms of less than ten years. The length of sentences for others ranged from three to 15 years, with some having a portion of their sentences suspended. Six defendants were released, accounting for the time already served in pre-trial detention.
Dominique Pelicot admitted to drugging his wife over many years to facilitate abuse, claiming he filmed the assaults while he and others assaulted her. Gisèle Pelicot—a 72-year-old grandmother who believed she was in a loving relationship—has become a beacon of strength and a feminist icon following the distressing events and her resolute participation in the trial. The ordeal she faced has engaged the attention of campaigners advocating against sexual violence, who view this case as a potential turning point in the quest for more stringent measures against such acts.
The culprits were said to have participated in Dominique Pelicot’s disturbing sexual fantasies played out within their retirement community in Mazan and other locations. He confessed to secretly placing tranquilizers in his wife’s food and drinks, rendering her unconscious for extended periods while he engaged in sexual acts without her consent.
In a troubling twist, one of the defendants was sentenced to 12 years for raping his own spouse with help from Dominique Pelicot, who was also convicted for that crime. The panel of five judges reached their verdicts through a secret ballot, with the majority favoring the convictions. Many activists had hoped for harsher punishments, seeing the trial as a pivotal opportunity to challenge fundamental issues surrounding sexual violence.
Gisèle Pelicot’s decision to renounce her anonymity as a survivor and her insistence on public hearings—complete with shocking evidence such as videos—have sparked important discussions across France about enhancing protections for women and the responsibilities of men in ensuring these safeguards. Activist Fanny Foures highlighted how such discussions have become easier: “It was awkward at first, but now real dialogues are happening. Some women are realizing, maybe for the first time, that their ex-husbands violated them.”
In a show of solidarity, campaigners hung a large banner reading “MERCI GISELE” across from the courthouse, expressing their gratitude to Gisèle Pelicot for her bravery.
Dominique Pelicot first attracted police attention in September 2020 when caught filming upskirt videos in a supermarket. Investigators later uncovered an extensive collection of over 20,000 images and videos documenting the abuse of his wife, stored under disturbing titles that indicated the nature of the content. This evidence led to identifying other participants in the heinous acts, although many were not apprehended.
Despite some defendants admitting to their roles in the assaults, many others protested their innocence, claiming misunderstandings around consent. The trial has prompted a wide-ranging dialog about France’s rape laws and the necessity of a clearer definition of consent, igniting a critical dialogue about sexual violence and the cultural perceptions surrounding it.