Man jailed 20 years for inviting 50 men to rape wife

The court in Avignon delivered the verdicts after finding Pelicot guilty of drugging his wife with tranquilizers and filming the abuse. Over the years, Pelicot allowed other men to join in, further tormenting his victim. His actions have shaken France and ignited a nationwide conversation about sexual violence and the need for stronger protections for women.

The trial, which began in late 2023, has left France reeling. Gisèle Pelicot, now a 72-year-old grandmother, testified against her ex-husband, showing incredible courage as she waived her right to anonymity. Analysts believe the case is one of the largest of its kind in French history.

In addition to Pelicot, 49 other men were also convicted, with sentences ranging from 10 to 20 years. The court found them guilty of participating in the rape and abuse orchestrated by Pelicot in their home in Mazan, a small town in southern France. Of the 50 men on trial, only one was acquitted, though he was found guilty of aggravated sexual assault.

Man jailed for 20 years: Public reactions

Public reactions to the case have been mixed, but many people are expressing outrage at the severity of the crimes. Women’s rights activists are calling for harsher penalties and stronger measures to combat rape culture. “This is a turning point,” said Fanny Foures, a 48-year-old feminist who supported Gisèle throughout the trial. “We are talking about abuse in ways we never have before.”

Supporters of Gisèle Pelicot gathered outside the courthouse, holding banners that read “Merci Gisèle” — a gesture of gratitude for her bravery in revealing the abuse. Many women are now questioning their own relationships, wondering if they too have been victims of similar abuse.

Gisèle Pelicot’s decision to speak publicly about the abuse has sparked important conversations across France. For years, she believed she was in a loving marriage. But as the trial revealed, her husband had been drugging her for years and filming the assaults. The discovery of over 20,000 images and videos documenting the abuse was chilling. Investigators also uncovered folders labeled “her rapists” and “night alone.”

Debate over consent and legal reforms

Activists believe that Gisèle’s courage is pushing France to rethink how it handles sexual violence. “Women are beginning to understand their own experiences differently,” Foures said. “Some are recognizing abuse they never realized before. Men are also facing uncomfortable truths about their behavior.”

The case has also raised questions about the legal definition of rape in France. Some defendants argued that they did not believe they were committing rape. They claimed Pelicot had misled them into believing the abuse was part of consensual kink. The trial has prompted calls for the legal definition of consent to be clarified.

Many hope that this landmark case will lead to broader reforms in French law. Meanwhile, campaigners are pushing for stricter penalties for sexual violence and for a broader understanding of consent.