In a landmark trial that stunned France, dozens of men, including Gis le Pelicot’s ex-husband, were found guilty on Thursday of raping and sexually assaulting her.
After the findings were read, Pelicot, 72, spoke to a rejoicing audience in the southern town of Avignon. She said the outcome of her case gave her hope for a time when “everybody, women, men can live together in harmony, in respect and in mutual understanding.”
According to a live translation by NBC News’ British broadcasting partner Sky News, Pelicot, who has become a hero to many in France for her decision to forego her right to anonymity and draw attention to the crimes committed by her husband, also stated that she had fought the case with her children and grandchildren in mind “because they are the future.”
She had earlier witnessed lead judge Roger Arata sentence her husband Dominique Pelicot to 20 years in jail in the courtroom. Over the course of ten years, he had confessed to drugging her until she passed out and invited scores of guys to rape her.
According to Sky News, 46 additional men were convicted in the well-known case of rape, two of attempted rape, and two of sexual assault. 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 Pelicot, she respected the court’s rulings.
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 sentences were announced.
About 200 police officers were anticipated to be stationed in and around the courthouse, which was crowded with accused family members, onlookers, and international journalists because to the high level of passion. 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, some of them told NBC News earlier this week that they hoped to change a society in France where, according to a 2024 government research, 75% of women feel they are not treated equally and where 230,000 women reported experiencing sexual abuse last year.
According to Magali Lafourcade, secretary general of the National Consultative Commission on Human Rights, “We have a real problem with French law.” Many circumstances are not considered rape in French law, but from the victim’s perspective, they are.
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