In a case that has rocked France and ignited a national conversation about sexual violence and women’s rights, Dominique Pelicot was sentenced on Thursday to 20 years in prison for the repeated rape of his ex-wife, Gisèle Pelicot. The explosive trial, which Gisèle Pelicot insisted be held publicly, culminated in emotional scenes at the courthouse in Avignon as the verdict was read out.
A Powerful Moment for Survivors
Supporters of Gisèle Pelicot, who had gathered outside the courthouse, erupted in cheers and applause as news of the conviction spread. Many held signs with slogans like “We Believe You” and “Your Courage Inspires Us.” For those who have followed this gripping case, the 20-year sentence represents a hard-fought victory.
“Today, Gisèle has won. Rape victims everywhere have won,” said Margaux Denis, a 28-year-old student who joined the crowd outside the courthouse. “This shows that if we speak up, if we demand justice, we can bring even the worst offenders to account.”
The Pelicot case has become a rallying point in France for activists combating sexual violence and fighting for women’s rights. Gisèle Pelicot’s brave decision to pursue a public trial, exposing the horrific details of her abuse, struck a chord in a country where an estimated 75,000 to 100,000 women are raped each year, but only around 1,000 rapists are convicted.
Systemic Change on the Horizon?
Many hope the Pelicot verdict signals a shift in how France handles rape cases and how society perceives sexual violence survivors. “For too long, victims have been silenced, doubted, even blamed,” said women’s rights advocate Sophie Letellier. “But Gisèle has shown immense courage in speaking out and seeking justice. Her actions may well encourage others to come forward.”
The case has already prompted reflection at the highest levels of French government. In the wake of the trial, President Emmanuel Macron vowed to make tackling sexual violence a top priority, admitting that France “has to change” its approach. Proposed reforms include better police training, more support for victims, and tougher sentences for offenders.
A Case That Shocked the Nation
The details that emerged during the three-month trial painted a chilling picture of abuse. Over a period of years, Dominique Pelicot, now 72, repeatedly raped his then-wife Gisèle, often after drugging her and sometimes inviting other men to participate. Gisèle Pelicot testified that she would wake up with no memory of the assaults, only to later find videos her husband had recorded.
“Each time I discovered a new video, it was like a stab in my heart,” she told the court in wrenching testimony. Medical experts believe Gisèle Pelicot was raped several hundred times over the course of a decade before she escaped the abusive marriage.
“I thought I would take this secret to my grave,” Gisèle Pelicot said in court, her voice heavy with emotion. “But I want to tell all women who are suffering in silence as I did: Speak out. Get help. Your life is worth fighting for.”
“Victory for Dignity and Courage”
Women’s advocacy groups hailed the verdict as a major step forward in the fight against sexual violence. “This is a victory for dignity, for courage, for all survivors,” said Céline Piques, spokesperson for Osez le Féminisme (Dare to be Feminist).
Piques hopes the high-profile case will encourage a cultural shift in how sexual violence is perceived and how survivors are treated. “We must tear down the stigma and shame that still surround rape victims,” she said. “Gisèle has lit a path forward with her courage. Now it is up to all of us to follow her example by believing and supporting survivors.”
An Apology and a Warning
During the trial, Dominique Pelicot admitted to the rapes and issued an apology, claiming the other men involved were aware that Gisèle was unaware of the assaults. In his final statement, he addressed his ex-wife directly: “I took advantage of your trust and I destroyed you. I know that you can never forgive me. I accept the punishment that I deserve.”
Advocates say the case is a chilling reminder of how those close to victims, including spouses, can perpetrate abuse on a massive scale. “Most rapists are not strangers lurking in dark alleys as we often imagine,” said activist Margaux Denis. “Gisèle’s case illustrates how abusers hide in plain sight, in homes, taking advantage of trust to inflict unfathomable suffering.”
A Survivor, Not a Victim
For Gisèle Pelicot, who has worked to rebuild her life in the years since escaping her marriage, the verdict represents a validation and a chance to finally put this painful chapter behind her. “I am exhausted, but I am at peace,” she said in a statement following the conviction. “For years, I was made to feel that what happened was my fault. Today, I can finally say that the shame is not mine to carry.”
Gisèle’s attorney, Hélène Daux, hopes her client’s courageous example will inspire other survivors to seek help. “Gisèle showed immense bravery in confronting her abuser, in reclaiming her story,” Daux said outside the courthouse as jubilant crowds cheered. “Her message to victims is clear: You are not alone, and you have nothing to be ashamed of. Justice is possible.”
A Promising Precedent
Legal experts believe the Pelicot conviction could set a powerful precedent in how France prosecutes rape cases going forward. In particular, Gisèle Pelicot’s insistence on a public trial – waiving her right to a closed-door hearing as most rape victims choose – broke new ground.
“Gisèle set an extraordinary example by opening up this painful case to public view,” said legal analyst Pierre Nolet. “Her aim was to shift perceptions, to show that rape victims have nothing to hide or be ashamed of. That took remarkable strength and conviction.”
Nolet believes that example, paired with the severity of the 20-year sentence, sends a powerful message that the French justice system is getting serious about punishing sexual violence. “The court clearly intended this verdict and this sentence to set a new tone,” he said. “It’s a stark warning to would-be offenders and a beacon of hope for survivors.”
A Long Road Ahead
While advocates applaud the outcome of the Pelicot trial, many stress that there is still much work to be done to tackle the scourge of sexual violence in France. Reports of rape have risen sharply in recent years, and polls suggest a majority of victims still do not report assaults to police.
“The Pelicot case is a major victory, but it is just one battle in a long war,” said Céline Piques of Osez le Féminisme. “We must keep up the pressure, the momentum, until all victims feel empowered to speak out, until all perpetrators know they will face severe consequences, until rape culture itself becomes a relic of the past.”
For Gisèle Pelicot, who has pledged to continue advocating for rape survivors, the road ahead is about more than legal victories – it’s about changing hearts, minds and a culture that for too long has silenced victims. “My case cannot be an isolated triumph,” she said following the verdict. “It must be a turning point, the start of a true transformation. It’s up to all of us now to seize this moment, to say ‘never again,’ and to build a society of respect and dignity for all.”
As the crowds outside the Avignon courthouse slowly dispersed on Thursday, their chants of “Bravo Gisèle” and “Justice for Survivors” gradually fading, a sense of history hung in the April air. For those who have followed this groundbreaking case, it was a day few will soon forget – the day a woman’s courage helped point the way forward for a nation. The day Gisèle Pelicot emerged not as a victim, but as an inspiration and an agent of change.
