Historic Trial in France: Dozens of Men Found Guilty of Raping and Sexually Assaulting Gisèle Pelicot
The Trial
Dozens of men, including the ex-husband of Gisèle Pelicot, were found guilty of raping and sexually assaulting her in a historic trial that shocked France. The trial, which took place in the southern town of Avignon, was a watershed moment for women’s rights in France.
Sentencing
Dominique Pelicot, 72, who pled guilty to drugging his ex-wife and inviting dozens of men to rape her while she was unconscious over the span of a decade, was sentenced to 20 years in prison. Another 46 men were found guilty of rape, two of attempted rape, and two of sexual assault. They ranged in age from 26 to 74 and were handed sentences from three to eight years.
Remorse
Around 15 of the men accused admitted to the facts, although only a handful expressed remorse in the lead-up to their verdicts.
Courtroom Scene
Pelicot listened on in the courtroom as her ex-husband’s verdict was read out, surrounded by police officers. The courtroom was packed with family members of the accused, spectators, and journalists from around the world. More than 150 journalists were accredited to cover the trial.
Background
In an earlier hearing, it was revealed that Pelicot only learned of the horrors she endured when police started an investigation into her husband after a security guard caught him filming up the skirts of women with his smartphone. Investigators found videos on her husband’s devices that suggested she herself had been the victim of a major crime.
Pelicot’s Courage
While she could have remained anonymous, Pelicot called for the trial to be held in public and instructed her lawyers to fight for harrowing video and other evidence to be played out in open court. She said she was doing this in a bid to put an end to the "macho, patriarchal society that trivializes rape."
Conclusion
The trial is a significant step forward for women’s rights in France, and it is a testament to Pelicot’s courage and determination to bring her perpetrators to justice. The verdicts serve as a reminder that rape and sexual assault are serious crimes that will not be tolerated.
FAQs
Q: How many men were found guilty in the trial?
A: 48 men were found guilty, including Dominique Pelicot, who was sentenced to 20 years in prison.
Q: What were the sentences for the other men found guilty?
A: The sentences ranged from three to eight years, with 46 men found guilty of rape, two of attempted rape, and two of sexual assault.
Q: Did any of the men express remorse?
A: Only a handful of the men accused expressed remorse in the lead-up to their verdicts.
Q: Why did Pelicot choose to go public with her story?
A: Pelicot chose to go public with her story in a bid to put an end to the "macho, patriarchal society that trivializes rape."
