Dominique Pelicot Sentenced for Marital Rape

Gisèle Pelicot's harrowing case has drawn international attention after her husband, Dominique Pelicot, was sentenced to 20 years in prison for drugging and raping her for nearly a decade, while also facilitating the assaults by over 50 men. The abuse came to light when Pelicot was arrested for upskirting in 2020, leading police to uncover a library of videos documenting the rapes of his wife, who was often unconscious due to drugging. Gisèle, who bravely waived her anonymity, has become a symbol for victims of marital rape, advocating for a societal shift in how such cases are viewed. The case has sparked a larger discussion about marital rape laws in France and the need for reform. Despite the horrific nature of her experience, Gisèle expressed no regrets about going public, emphasizing that the shame belongs to the rapists. The trial concluded with 51 men receiving sentences totaling 400 years for their involvement in the abuse, although some received lighter sentences than expected.