Dominique Pelicot has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for repeatedly raping and recruiting dozens of men to abuse his ex-wife, Gisèle Pelicot. All 51 men on trial were found guilty of the charges against them, ending a mass rape case that has shocked France and much of the world.
Gisèle Pelicot, who gave up her anonymity to help other victims of sexual violence, was greeted by her supporters outside the court in Avignon, France. But some are shocked that dozens of convicted rapists have not received longer sentences.
Gisèle's ex-husband, the first to be convicted, received the maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. He was found guilty not only of abusing his ex-wife, but also of creating and distributing sexually explicit images of his daughter, Caroline, and two other women, the wives of his sons. During the sentencing, Dominique was seen crying in court. He has 10 days to appeal the decision; his lawyer still doesn't know if he will.
How Pelicot organized the rape of his wife
Gisèle Pelicot was drugged by her ex-husband and, while unconscious, raped over 200 times by dozens of men. The abuse lasted more than a decade. CNN reported how Dominique used online chat rooms to recruit strangers to participate in mass rape. All 51 men in the trial were found guilty: 50 of rape and one of sexual assault.
The shocking case is revealed in court
A man, 63-year-old Jean-Pierre Marechal, was found guilty of raping and drugging his wife, Cilia M. During the trial, Marechal said he had copied Dominique Pelicot's method. Marechal was sentenced to 12 years in prison – far less than the 17 years prosecutors had sought.
Light sentences for many defendants
Marechal's sentence was the first of many that were lighter than what prosecutors had sought. At least five of the men found guilty of rape will walk free from court today after some have already served time and others received suspended sentences. Inside the court, some were surprised by the short sentences that were read out. At one point, Caroline Darian, Pelicot's daughter, said: "This is not possible."
Repeat rapist
Some of the convicted rapists who had visited Pelicot's home several times received longer sentences. Romain V., who had visited the house six times, was sentenced to 15 years in prison. Charly A., who had also visited six times, was sentenced to 13 years.
Gisèle's supporters
Gisèle Pelicot was applauded by dozens of her supporters who had gathered outside the court. One was holding a placard that read: "This is how they carry shame." Pelicot repeated this phrase during her grueling trial, saying that the perpetrators of sexual violence — not the victims — are the ones who should feel ashamed. (A2 Televizion)
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