A judge in France has found Gisèle Pelicot’s former husband guilty of aggravated rape for drugging and assaulting her. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison. Pelicot, who bravely shared her story and fought against sexual violence, was praised for her courage during the trial. The court also convicted 49 other men for assaulting Pelicot at her husband’s invitation.
Pelicot’s case sparked protests in France, with demonstrators hoping for changes in laws governing sexual consent. French law defines rape as involving violence, coercion, or threat, without considering consent. Only 14% of rape accusations in France lead to investigations, highlighting the challenges in obtaining convictions.
During the trial, Pelicot, now 72, shared how she had no idea about her husband’s abuse and thought they had a loving marriage. She described moments of being drugged and waking up feeling disoriented. Pelicot’s attorney emphasized that justice being served cannot bring back the years she lost to abuse.
Overall, Pelicot’s case shed light on the complexities of sexual violence laws in France and the challenges faced by victims seeking justice.
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