In a decision that has sent shockwaves through France, Dominique Pelicot, the electrician convicted of systematically drugging and raping his wife over nearly a decade, will not appeal his 20-year prison sentence. The maximum sentence was handed down earlier this month, along with convictions for the 50 other men who participated in the rapes.
Pelicot’s lawyer, Béatrice Zavarro, said her client wished to spare his ex-wife Gisèle “a new ordeal” by dragging out the legal process. But she also admitted there was a risk that a new trial, held before a public jury, could result in an even longer sentence for the 72-year-old.
A Case That Jolted a Nation
The harrowing details of the “Pelicot affair” have gripped France for months and forced a reckoning over the country’s historically lax attitude toward sexual violence. Gisèle Pelicot, 72, believes she was raped over 200 times between 2011 and 2020, with her husband filming the assaults and inviting other men to participate.
In a stunning move, Gisèle insisted the trial be held in open court and the videos of her abuse shown, so that “shame could change sides.” Her bravery transformed her into an international feminist icon and brought immense pressure on the French legal system.
Calls for Reform Grow Louder
The three-and-a-half month trial exposed not only the horrific crimes committed against Gisèle Pelicot, but also the gaping inadequacies in French rape laws. Shockingly, the concept of “consent” is still absent from the penal code, and an astounding 94% of reported rape cases are dropped without any action.
“From Gisèle Pelicot’s point of view, there is no sentence that will give her back what she has lost. All she wanted is to have the accused convicted for what they did to her.”
– Stéphane Babonneau, Gisèle Pelicot’s lawyer
Women’s rights advocates say the Pelicot case must be a turning point that leads to real, systemic change. Proposals include finally introducing clear language around consent, providing more resources for victims, and overhauling a justice system that too often fails women.
A New Era for Women’s Rights?
The Avignon trial was notable not only for its shocking revelations, but for the solidarity and outrage it generated among ordinary French citizens, particularly women. Thousands rallied outside the courthouse to support Gisèle, demand justice, and call for a societal shift.
Whether the Pelicot case will be remembered as a true inflection point remains to be seen. But one thing is certain – France can no longer look away from the scourge of sexual violence. The courage of Gisèle Pelicot has ensured that even if this battle is over, the war for women’s safety and dignity is only beginning.
As the dust settles on this historic trial, the pressing questions for France are clear: How many more Gisèles are suffering in silence? And what will it take to build a society where their nightmare can never happen again? For the sake of women everywhere, the answers cannot come soon enough.
