French President Emmanuel Macron has honored Gisèle Pelicot for her remarkable bravery and dignity during the high-profile mass rape trial involving her ex-husband and 50 other men.
Calling her a “trailblazer for women,” Macron stated that her resilience had “moved and inspired France and the world.”
Dominique Pelicot, 72, was sentenced to the maximum 20 years in prison after admitting to drugging Gisèle for nearly a decade and orchestrating a series of rapes by dozens of men while she was unconscious.
The 50 other men involved received lighter sentences. Reflecting on the trial, Gisèle said it had been a harrowing experience, but she remained hopeful for a future where mutual respect and understanding could prevail between men and women.
Gisèle’s choice to waive her anonymity and make the trial public drew worldwide attention to the pervasive issues of rape and drug-induced sexual violence.
A court in Avignon, southern France, convicted all 51 defendants, aged between 27 and 74. However, one of Gisèle’s lawyers acknowledged that “no sentence can restore her life.”
Gisèle’s three children expressed disappointment over the relatively lenient sentences for many defendants, which ranged from three to 15 years, falling short of the 18 years prosecutors had sought. Forty-one men were taken into custody immediately, though many plan to appeal.
Dominique Pelicot’s lawyer said his client was “stunned” by the 20-year sentence and would decide on an appeal in the coming days. According to judges, Pelicot must serve at least two-thirds of his sentence before being eligible for parole.
The trial has sparked broader discussions about France’s rape laws and cultural attitudes toward sexual violence. Activists rallied outside the court throughout the proceedings, advocating for change. The slogan “Shame changes sides” became emblematic of the case.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz also praised Gisèle for empowering women globally, stating, “The shame always lies with the perpetrator.”
Antoine Camus, one of Gisèle’s lawyers, described the trial as a “building block” for societal change. By opening the trial to public scrutiny, Gisèle aimed to provoke critical discussions on rape culture and drug-induced assaults.
Yaël Braun-Pivet, president of France’s National Assembly, commended Gisèle for breaking a significant taboo, saying, “The world is no longer the same thanks to you.”
Former French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal expressed hope that the trial would serve as a wake-up call, emphasizing the importance of educating boys about equality and respect, which he described as the foundation for combating sexual violence.