PARIS — The former spouse of Gisèle Pelicot has decided not to contest the 20-year prison sentence imposed on him for drugging and sexually assaulting her, as well as facilitating the assault by numerous other men while she was incapacitated. This decision, which has drawn significant attention in France, was shared by his attorney on Monday.
Dominique Pelicot aims to prevent his ex-wife from enduring the trauma of another trial, according to attorney Béatrice Zavarro during an interview with France Info. She also revealed that out of the 50 men who were convicted recently, 17 are opting to appeal their sentences following a lengthy trial that lasted over three months. The trial has transformed 72-year-old Gisèle Pelicot into a significant figure in the fight against sexual violence.
In a judgment delivered by the court in Avignon, France, sentences for the men found guilty of crimes against Gisèle Pelicot varied from three to 15 years. These offenses, which fell under categories such as rape, attempted rape, and sexual assault, occurred over nearly ten years and were largely initiated by her former husband, who took advantage of her unawareness.
Dominique Pelicot received the maximum sentence of 20 years in prison after being convicted on multiple charges, including rape. Given his current age of 72, he may spend his remaining years incarcerated and will not be eligible for early release until he has completed at least two-thirds of his sentence. His attorney stated that he feels it’s time to move on and acknowledged the need to put this traumatic chapter behind them.
The appeals process is anticipated to take place in the latter part of 2025, as noted by the appeals court in Nimes, which confirmed that appeals had been filed before a recent deadline. The trial has catalyzed a nationwide conversation regarding the pervasive issue of rape culture.
Dominique Pelicot was found to have drugged his wife’s food and beverages with tranquilizers to leave her helpless. He then engaged various men through online platforms, inviting them to perpetrate heinous acts of sexual violence that he staged and recorded, notably in their retirement residence in Mazan, Provence.
Gisèle Pelicot displayed remarkable bravery throughout the harrowing trial, drawing attention to her troubling experiences, which transpired under the guise of a supposedly loving marriage. Her testament has encouraged advocates to push for more stringent measures aimed at addressing and eliminating the culture surrounding sexual violence.
Choosing to forfeit her anonymity as a survivor of sexual violence, Gisèle Pelicot championed the principle of public hearings, allowing her ex-husband’s disturbing homemade videos to be admitted as evidence in an open courtroom. She asserted that the stigma should rest firmly upon her aggressors rather than herself.
