Maximum sentence, 20 years in prison, per Dominique Pelicotconvicted of the rapes perpetrated against his now ex-wife over 10 years Gisele Pelicot. The 72-year-old man was “found guilty” by the president of the Vaucluse criminal court, Roger Arata, as he listened silently, standing, under the gaze of his relatives. Also guilty of having collected images of his wife and daughter without their knowledge. Together with him, the other 50 defendants involved in years of violence were also found guilty, many of whom are found guilty of “aggravated rape in a meeting and administration” of drugs to Gisèle Pelicot. The sentences imposed by the Avignon court range from 3 to 13 years of imprisonment.
The story of Gisèle Pelicot, drugged and raped for years by her husband and dozens of men he contacted on the internet, is nothing short of shocking and immediately stirred the consciences and bellies of many people, not just women. Who did not miss the opportunity, on the day of the end of the trial, to demonstrate their closeness to this courageous woman, who naturally became the symbolic face of a battle for dignity. “Merci Gisèle” (Thank you Gisèle) is in fact the banner that appeared this morning in front of the Palace of Justice in Avignon, France, among the crowd who came to support her and applaud her at the entrance.
