A French court has sentenced Dominique Pelicot, a 72-year-old man, to 20 years in prison for repeatedly drugging and raping his wife, Gisele, over almost a decade. In addition to Pelicot, 50 other men were found guilty of rape, attempted rape, or sexual assault related to the abuse. The trial has sparked debate about updating France’s rape law, which currently does not explicitly mention consent.
Pelicot had invited dozens of strangers to rape his wife while she was unconscious, and he pleaded guilty to the charges. During the trial, Gisele testified that she had been drugged and abused for years, with no memory gaps due to her husband putting powerful tranquilizers in her food and coffee. She also said that she hoped the case would help other women speak up about their own experiences.
The court found 46 of the other defendants guilty of rape, two guilty of attempted rape, and two guilty of sexual assault, with sentences ranging from three to 15 years in prison. However, many of the accused had denied the charges, claiming that it was a consensual sex game orchestrated by the couple. Gisele’s lawyer stated that his client might appeal the decision.
The case has been met with outrage and protests around France, as well as international attention. The trial has also sparked discussions about updating France’s rape law to explicitly mention consent. Gisele Pelicot, 72, who was a symbol of female courage and resilience during the trial, expressed her determination to change things and said that it was not courage but rather “determination to change things.”
Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/verdict-due-gisele-pelicot-rape-case-that-horrified-world-2024-12-19