WARNING: This article may affect those who have experienced sexual violence or know someone who has been affected by it.
A French court on Thursday sentenced the ex-husband of Gisèle Pelicot to a maximum of 20 years in prison for drugging and raping her and allowing other men to rape her while ' which was demolished, in abuse that lasted almost ten years.
The sentence against Dominique Pelicot was pronounced after he was found guilty of all charges against him. At the age of 72, it could mean that he spends the rest of his life in prison.
The decision was read by the chief judge of the court in Avignon, Roger Arata.
Arata read out the verdicts one after the other against Pelicot and 50 others, saying “therefore you are found guilty of aggravated rape against the person of Mme. Gisèle Pelicot” while working through the first names on the list.
Gisèle Pelicot sat on one side of the courtroom, facing the defense as Arata announced one guilty verdict after another.
The massive rape trial shocked France and its impact will be seen far beyond the Avignon courthouse where judges have heard and seen more than three months of evidence.
Pelicot, 72, has become a feminist hero both at home and abroad for renouncing her right to anonymity and standing up to her abusers in court.
Survivors of sexual abuse are usually not highlighted in the media. Publication bans usually prevent the media from doing so to protect the privacy of survivors and encourage them to report crimes in the first place. But Pelicot waived her legal right to anonymity.
Everything about the trial in the southern French city of Avignon has been special, especially Pelicot himself.
She has been the epitome of dignity and tenacity throughout the three months of harrowing testimony, including excerpts from her now formidable library of domestic abuse videos.
Dominique Pelicot meticulously cataloged how he mostly silenced his wife of 50 years during their last decade together so he and dozens of strangers he met online could rape her while she was unconscious.
Surprisingly, it was easy for him to recruit his alleged supporters. Many had jobs. Most are fathers. They came from all walks of life, with the youngest in his 20s and the oldest in his 70s.
In all, 50 men, including Dominique Pelicot, stood trial for aggravated rape and attempted rape. Another man was tried for aggravated sexual assault.
“They considered me a rag doll, a trash bag,” said Gisèle Pelicot in court.
Moving through the charges, the evidence, the background of the accused and their defense took so long that Dominique and Gisèle Pelicot had birthdays during the trial, with both turn 72.
How did the issue come about?
Dominique Pelicot's detailed recording and cataloging of what happened – the police found more than 20,000 photos and videos on his computer drives, in folders titled “abuse,” “her rapists” or “a night alone” – provided plenty evidence to the investigators and helped lead them to the defendants.
That set the case apart from many others where sexual violence goes unreported or is not prosecuted because the evidence is not that strong.
Gisèle Pelicot and her lawyers successfully fought for shocking video and other evidence to be heard and seen in open court, to show that she was not ashamed and was clearly unconscious during the ordeal. alleged rape, undermining claims by some defendants that she may have been sleepwalking. or even been a willing partner.
Her courage – one woman, alone, against dozens of men – was inspiring.
Supporters, mostly women, lined up early each day for a seat in the courthouse or to cheer and thank her as she walked in and out – stoic, humble and gracious, but also aware that her problem appeared outside of Avignon and France.
She said she was fighting for “all those people around the world, women and men, who are victims of sexual violence.”
“Look around you: you are not alone,” she said.
For anyone who has been sexually assaulted, support is available through emergency lines and local support services through the Completing the Canadian Violence Association database.
For anyone affected by family or intimate partner violence, support is available through them emergency lines and local support services.
If you are in immediate danger or fear for your safety or the safety of others around you, call 911.