In a landmark trial that stunned France, dozens of men, including Gis le Pelicot’s ex-husband, were convicted guilty of raping and sexually assaulting her.
A mob of admirers cheered and applauded Pelicot, 72, when he arrived at the courts in the southern town of Avignon. A giant banner that read “MERCI GISELE,” or “thank you Gis le,” was displayed across from the courthouse.
She went into the courtroom and saw her husband, Dominique Pelicot, get a 20-year prison term from Chief Judge Roger Arata. He had previously admitted to drugging her and invited scores of guys to rape her over ten years while she was asleep.
According to NBC News’ British broadcasting partner Sky News, 46 additional men were convicted guilty of rape, two of attempted rape, and two of sexual assault in the well-known case. They received sentences ranging from three to thirteen years, while their ages ranged from 26 to 74. When taken as a whole, they will serve for over 400 years.
Only a few of the individuals who were charged showed regret prior to their verdicts, but about fifteen had acknowledged the truth.
According to the Associated Press, family members of the defendants watched the proceedings on television screens in a separate room. Some of them gasped and started crying as the penalties were announced.
About 200 police officers were anticipated to be stationed in and around the courthouse, which was crowded with the accused’s relatives, onlookers, and international journalists, as tensions were predicted to run high. The trial, which many campaigners view as a turning point for women’s rights in France, was covered by more than 150 accredited media.
During a previous hearing, it was disclosed that Pelicot was only made aware of the atrocities she had to go through when police began looking into her husband after a security officer discovered him using his smartphone to record women’s skirts.
Investigators claimed to have discovered footage on her husband’s devices that implied she had been the victim of a serious crime herself.
Although she had the option to remain anonymous, she demanded that the trial be held in public and gave her attorneys instructions to fight for the release of graphic footage and other supporting documentation.
She claimed that she was taking this action in an effort to stop the patriarchal, macho culture that denigrates rape.
Sexual violence activists had hoped that Pelicot’s case would mark a watershed in the battle against rape culture and the challenges that survivors of sexual assault frequently encounter in accessing justice.
Additionally, they told NBC News earlier this week that they aimed to change a society in France where, according to a 2024 government research, 75% of women feel they are not treated equally and where, last year, 230,000 women reported experiencing sexual abuse.
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