Frenchman Dominique Pelicot has been sentenced to 20 years in prison in a rape trial. This is the maximum penalty for rape offenses in France.
Dominique Pelicot repeatedly drugged his then-wife Gisèle for almost ten years. He then abused her and had her raped by strangers he met on the Internet. He has now been sentenced to the maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
In addition to him, 50 other men were convicted of rape or sexual assault. They were sentenced to 3 to 15 years in prison. Activists had previously demanded 20 years in prison for all defendants.
Gisèle Pelicot will help other rape victims
Outside the courtroom, Gisèle Pelicot thanked reporters for their support. “I would like to express my deep gratitude to the people who have supported me throughout this ordeal. “Your messages moved me deeply and gave me the strength to come back every day and get through these long daily hearings,” she told the cameras.
Gisèle Pelicot emphasized that she hopes to help other rape victims by publishing her story. “Finally, I also think of all the unknown victims whose stories are not being told. I want you to know that we are fighting the same fight,” she said after the court announced its verdict.
Changes to criminal law initiated again
The trial sparked rallies across France in support of Gisèle Pelicot. Before the court ruling was announced, many people gathered outside the courthouse in Avignon and cheered in response to the verdict.
The trial sparks a broader debate about consent for sexual acts. Activists are calling for a change in the law that would make any sex without explicit consent considered rape. In Spain there is already the so-called “only yes means yes” rule.
