Why is Dominique Pélicot’s sentence for horrific crimes against his wife Gisele so short?
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Emerging from a courthouse surrounded by journalists, photographers and her grandson’s hand on her shoulder, Gisele Pelicot spoke defiantly after her ex husband was jailed for 20 years for nearly a decade of abuse. ‘I’m thinking about all the other families affected by this case and the unrecognised victims in these stories that are often in the shadows – you share my struggle,’ she said.
![[This court-sketch made on December 19, 2024 in Avignon shows Gisele Pelicot during the hearing of the verdict of the court that sentenced her ex-husband to the maximum term of 20 years jail for committing and orchestrating her mass rapes with dozens of strangers he recruited online. Dominique Pelicot, who had already confessed to the crimes, was earlier found guilty by the court in the southern city of Avignon after an over three-month trial that shocked France and turned his former wife Gisele into a feminist hero. His 50 co-defendants in the case were also convicted by the court, with no acquittals. (Photo by Benoit PEYRUCQ / AFP) (Photo by BENOIT PEYRUCQ/AFP via Getty Images)]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/SEI_233741535-58fa.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
The grandmother, 72, thanked her supporters, who cheered in jubilation was she left the courtoom, and added that she never regretted waiving her anonymity with the case. ‘I have faith now in our capacity to carve out collectively a future where women and men can live in harmony, in respect and mutual understanding,’ she said.
![[Dominique Pelicot, 71, on trial for organizing the rape of his wife for 10 years by +50 people recruited on the internet. A 4-month trial begins today.]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/SEI_222064367-b883.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=195)
Her stoicism followed a three month trial where the court heard how her ex-husband, Dominique Pelicot, repeatedly drugged, raped her and invited dozens of strangers to abuse her from 2011 to 2020. Earlier today he was given the maximum sentence of 20 years after a lengthy trial in Avignon, France. His lawyer has said he is considering an appeal.
The 50 other men meanwhile all received convictions, with 46 guilty of rape, two guilty of attempted rape, and two guilty of sexual assault. The case has caused shockwaves across France, igniting a second ‘MeToo’-style movement and propelling Gisele into the spotlight as a feminist hero.
