The criminal court of Vaucluse, in Avignon, issued a verdict that will mark the history of French justice: Dominique Pelicot was sentenced to 20 years in prison for aggravated rape against his wife, Gisèle Pelicot, a 72-year-old woman who suffered atrocious abuse for ten years. The case, which involved 50 other defendantsprofoundly shocked public opinion.
Pelicot, with the help of men recruited online, drugged and raped Gisèle, documenting the crimes with an impressive archive of more than 20,000 photos and videos, stored on hard drives discovered by police during the investigation. The brutality of the facts led to the conviction of all the defendants present: 47 were found guilty of rape, two of attempted rape and another two of abuse. The sentences imposed range from 3 to 20 years, with some sentences suspended. One of the accused was judged in absentia, while another, an accomplice of Pelicot in the abuse but not directly involved in the sexual violence, received a 12-year sentence.
The turning point in the investigation came in 2020, when a security guard caught Pelicot secretly filming women in a supermarket. Since then, police have uncovered the domestic archive of evidence documenting decades of violence. Investigators have identified 72 attackers in the videos, but 21 of them remain unknown and unpunished.
Gisèle’s courage and public support
Gisèle Pelicot, a survivor of this long series of atrocities, has become a symbol of resistance and fight against rape culture in France. After years of silence, she found the strength to denounce her husband, transforming herself into a contemporary heroine. At his side during the trial were his three children and a crowd of supporters, who gathered in front of the court in the early hours of the morning as a sign of solidarity.
This story has raised crucial questions about gender-based violence and the importance of acting decisively to protect victims and bring perpetrators to justice. The Pelicot case is not only a legal victory, but also a warning against indifference and silence.
Rainews.it reports it
Related News :