Dozens of men who abused Gisèle Pelicot were convicted, including the man who invited them to do so: her husband of 50 years. She wanted the public trial to show rape victims they were not alone.According to The New York Times, the trial of Gisèle Pelicot’s abusers ended with a victory for the woman at its center. The court in Avignon, France, convicted all 51 accused men, including her husband of 50 years, Dominique Pelicot, who had admitted to drugging her over a period of nearly a decade to abuse her. He received the maximum sentence of 20 years, while the rest were given sentences ranging from six to nine years.
Ms. Pelicot, who was near-comatose during the rapes, wanted the public trial to show other rape victims that they were not alone. She became a feminist icon for her bravery in allowing the case to be tried publicly, shedding light on the horrors of rape in a country where the #MeToo movement had not gained much traction.
After the verdict was announced, Ms. Pelicot emerged from the courthouse to a swarm of reporters and supporters, who held up signs of appreciation and cheered for her. She remained composed and gave a simple statement about her decision to make her case public, in hopes of sparking discussions about rape and the use of drugs to facilitate it.
The trial, which lasted for four months, captivated and horrified France. Ms. Pelicot’s courage in speaking out and seeking justice for herself and other victims was met with overwhelming support and solidarity. As one sign held by her supporters read, “All the women on Earth support you. Thank you Gisèle.”
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