AVIGNON, France. In a landmark case that has gripped France and drawn global attention, a court in Avignon sentenced Dominique Pelicot to 20 years in prison for orchestrating the prolonged sexual abuse of his wife, Gisele Pelicot, over nearly a decade. The court also found 50 co-defendants guilty of crimes ranging from rape to sexual assault, handing down sentences of up to 15 years.
The 72-year-old victim, Gisele, who waived her right to anonymity, sat stoically through the three-month trial, emerging as a symbol of resilience. Addressing supporters outside the courthouse after the verdict, she expressed hope for a future grounded in respect and mutual understanding.
“This trial was a very difficult ordeal,” Gisele said. “But I do not regret my decision to let this case be heard in public. I now have confidence in our ability to collectively seize a future in which each woman and man can live in harmony.”
A Decade of Hidden Abuse
For years, Dominique Pelicot drugged his wife with powerful tranquilizers, rendering her unconscious while inviting dozens of men he met online to sexually assault her. Gisele, unaware of the repeated abuse, attributed her memory gaps to a possible medical condition.
The case came to light in 2020 when Dominique was caught attempting to take illicit photographs of women in a supermarket. Police investigations uncovered over 20,000 images and videos documenting the abuse on his computer.
“I am a rapist like the others in this room,” Dominique admitted during the trial, pleading guilty to the charges.
The court found 46 of the co-defendants guilty of rape, two of attempted rape, and two of sexual assault. Their sentences ranged from three to 15 years, sparking anger from onlookers who chanted, “Shame on the justice system!”
A Public Battle for Change
Throughout the trial, Gisele demanded that horrifying videos of the abuse be played in court, hoping her story would inspire other victims to come forward. “I’ve decided not to be ashamed. I’ve done nothing wrong. They are the ones who must be ashamed,” she said.
The trial has reignited debate over France’s rape laws, which do not explicitly define consent as a legal requirement for sexual relations. Protest rallies in support of Gisele have called for legislative reforms to address gaps in the law.
Family Stands Firm
The Pelicots’ three children, David, Caroline, and Florian, attended the sentencing alongside their mother. They have publicly condemned their father, rejecting his pleas for forgiveness.
“The courage my mother has shown is beyond words,” said David. “This fight is not just hers but for every victim of such heinous crimes.”
Horrors Beyond Imagination
The defendants, who ranged from lorry drivers and firefighters to a journalist and an unemployed man, all lived near the Pelicots’ village of Mazan, nestled among vineyards below Mont Ventoux. The youngest was 22, while the oldest was in his early 70s.
Gisele emphasized that her fight is not about personal courage but a determination to bring systemic change. “This is not just my battle but that of all rape victims,” she testified.
As appeals from the convicted loom, Gisele’s story continues to resonate far beyond the courtroom, sparking a nationwide reckoning with the issues of consent, accountability, and justice for survivors.
Paraluman P. Funtanilla
Paraluman P. Funtanilla is Tutubi News Magazine's Marketing Specialist and is a Contributing Editor. She finished her degree in Communication Arts in De La Salle Lipa. She has worked as a Digital Marketer for start-up businesses and small business spaces for the past two years. She has earned certificates from Coursera on Brand Management: Aligning Business Brand and Behavior and Viral Marketing and How to Craft Contagious Content. She also worked with Asia Express Romania TV Show.
