And Justice For All

A French court on Thursday sentenced Dominique Pelicot to the maximum of 20 years in prison for drugging and raping his ex-wife Gisèle, as well as 50 other men invited to assault her, for nearly a decade, concluding a three-month trial that has shocked the country and spurred a national reckoning on sexual violence, CBS News reported.

Pelicot, 72, was also found guilty on all charges, including taking indecent images of his daughter and daughters-in-law and the attempted rape of another woman. Videos recovered from Pelicot’s computer showed the extent of his crimes, including over 20,000 images and videos documenting the assaults.

The court in Avignon also convicted the other 50 defendants involved, with sentences ranging from three to 15 years.

While the ex-husband admitted guilt, many of the other defendants denied the accusations, claiming they were misled and that the assaults were part of consensual fantasies.

Thursday’s verdict marked the conclusion of what observers have described as the largest rape trial in France and one that sparked outrage across the country and the world, according to the BBC.

After the verdict, supporters gathered outside the courthouse, holding banners reading “Merci Gisèle” (Thank you, Gisèle).

Gisèle, who chose to waive her right to anonymity to ensure the trial was held publicly, became a symbol of courage and resilience, the BBC said.

She described the proceedings as “a very difficult ordeal,” while expressing support for other victims of sexual assault whose cases don’t get enough attention.

“I wanted all of society to be a witness to the debates that took place here,” Gisèle, 72, said as reported by the Associated Press. “I never regretted making this decision.”

She added that her fight was for future generations: “It’s also for (my grandchildren) that I led this fight.”

The trial has reignited debate on France’s legal definition of rape, which currently focuses on coercion or violence but does not explicitly address consent, leaving a gap in cases involving unconscious victims or the use of drugs against victims’ will.

Campaigners are calling for reforms, emphasizing the need to explicitly incorporate consent into the legal framework to better protect victims and secure convictions.

Legal analysts said the current laws often force victims to fit stereotypes of “a ‘good victim’ and a ‘true rape,’” which does not reflect the reality of most cases.

Women’s rights advocates hope that the Pelicot case will be a turning point, prompting the government to strengthen protections and ensure justice for survivors of sexual violence.