After the sentence in the rape trial of Dominique Pelicot and 50 co-defendants, Gisèle Pelicot spoke out saying that she respects the Court’s decision. The ex-husband was sentenced to 20 years, the other 50 people were given lower sentences than those that had been requested.
“I have never regretted” having refused a closed trial. This was declared shortly after the sentencing of her husband and his other rapists Gisele Pelicot. The 72-year-old, who has become a symbol in France also for having chosen to appear in such a delicate trial, spoke before the Avignon court after the sentence for sexual violence was issued.
L’ex husband Dominique Pelicot72 years old like her, was found guilty and sentenced to the maximum sentence, 20 years, and all the other defendants were also sentenced, men who at Pelicot’s “invitation” raped his unconscious wife. “It is with deep emotion that I speak to you today, this process has been a very difficult test”, the first words of Gisèle Pelicot.
In front of journalists he said: respect the judges’ rulingwhich was criticized by some feminist movements because it was considered too soft. Gisèle Pelicot also addressed a thought to the unacknowledged victims of sexual violence, while saying she had faith in a future of harmony between women and men. “I think of the unacknowledged victims, whose stories often remain in the shadows. I want you to know that we share the same struggle,” the woman said. And again, Pelicot underlined that he “now has confidence in our ability to collectively seize a future in which all, women and men, can live in harmony, with mutual respect and understanding”.
Gisèle Pelicot, the sentence arrives: her ex-husband Dominique guilty of the rapes sentenced to 20 years
Regarding today’s sentence, a member of the Pelicot family declared that the victim’s three children were “disappointed” by the sentences handed down by the magistrates against the 51 defendants in the trial, which in their opinion were too light. Some of them received lower sentences than those that had been requested. According to a count by the broadcaster Franceinfo, of the 51 men convicted in the Mazan rape trial, 41 will immediately go to prison. Of these 41 men, 18 appeared before the Vaucluse court during pre-trial detention, including Dominique Pelicot. The other 23 were placed in preventive custody. Of the other convicts, 6 are still at large.
