Gisèle Pelicot’s husband was found guilty of aggravated rape

Dominique Pelicot was found guilty of aggravated rape against his ex-wife Gisele Pelicot in the Mazan rape trial, which concluded today in Avignon. I am 51 defendants accused of having abused the woman, drugged by her husband for over 10 years. Some admitted wrongdoing, while others said they believed the victim had consented. The prosecution has asked for sentences of between 10 and 18 years for 49 defendants, while Dominique Pelicot faces a maximum sentence of 20 years. The man was also found guilty of making and distributing sexual images of his adult daughter Caroline. The sentences are expected to be decided today.

The Pelicot case was the emblem of gender violence that affects every age and social class

In addition to the very high number of attackers and the duration of the violence, the case of Gisèle Pelicot caused a sensation worldwide due to the social and demographic profile of her abusers, which highlighted how gender violence cuts across every social stratum. In fact, the defendants do not correspond to any stereotype of the “typical criminal”, but are truck drivers, soldiers, firefighters, clerks, cashiers, one is a journalist and others are unemployed. Even the age are the most disparate: the youngest suspect had only 22 years old when he raped Pelicot, while the older one was just over 70 years old. Many had children and were in relationships. Most lived within a 50km radius of Mazan village. Investigators believe that at least 72 men participated in the abuse, but many have not been identified. The defendants said they were deceived or believed it was a consensual game orchestrated by the couple, but the court rejected those claims. The final sentence will be pronounced in the next few days.