This article contains references to rape and sexual assault.
Today, the trial that has gripped millions came to a verdict: Dominique Pélicot was sentenced to 20 years in prison for the aggravated rape of Gisèle Pélicot. Pélicot, who is now recognised as one of the most prolific sex offenders in French history, systematically drugged his then-wife, Gisèle, and invited more than 50 men to rape her in their shared home over nearly a decade.
A total of 51 men stood trial alongside Dominique. Each was found guilty of at least one offence, with nearly all convicted of rape. Their sentences ranged from three to 15 years in prison, with two of the men receiving suspended jail terms – an outcome that has added to the sense of injustice among women’s rights campaigners and supporters of Gisèle.
The Front féministe international, an umbrella organisation of 85 feminist collectives spanning eight countries, hailed Dominique Pélicot’s conviction as “historic.” In their statement, they declared: “In a country where only 10% of victims of sexual violence lodge a complaint and where 94% of these complaints are dismissed, in a country where rapists enjoy virtual impunity, this verdict is historic.”
This case has shattered rape culture myths on an unprecedented scale. Gisèle Pélicot, in an act of defiance and courage, waived her right to anonymity to confront both her attackers and the broader societal systems that allowed such atrocities to persist. In a stirring testimony to the court in Avignon last month, she declared: “It’s time that the macho, patriarchal society that trivialises rape changes… It’s time we changed the way we look at rape.”
Her decision to speak openly about her experiences was not only a bid for personal justice, but also an effort to force society to confront its complicity in enabling such violence. As she so powerfully said: “It’s not for us to have shame; it’s for them.” This rallying cry has since resonated with victims of sexual assault, feminists, and allies around the world.
The extremity of the crimes, the cruelty, and the harrowing details have made this trial unique in its public impact. The case has exposed the perceived normalcy of the perpetrators – ordinary men in a quaint French town – and the systemic failures that allowed the abuse to continue for so long. It has become a lightning rod for those fighting to dismantle rape culture. Even in court, attempts by apologists and victim-blamers to defend Dominique and his co-defendants were drowned out by overwhelming support for Gisèle.
Public solidarity with Gisèle has been loud and unrelenting. This level of support is rare in rape cases, which often see victims disbelieved or vilified. Just a few weeks ago, Conor McGregor was found guilty by a jury of assaulting Nikita Hand in a Dublin hotel in December 2018. Despite this verdict, thousands of people rushed to his defence, calling her a liar and placing the shame on Hand – not the man who sexually assaulted her, McGregor.
We live in a society steeped in patriarchal values; a society where sexual assault and rape function as tools of oppression, reinforcing systems of power and control. Challenging these systems is threatening to many, as it requires a fundamental redistribution of power. Gisèle Pélicot’s fight has shown how necessary this challenge is, but also how far we have yet to go.