Gisèle Pelicot’s ex-husband, Dominique Pelicot, has decided not to appeal his 20-year prison sentence after being convicted in a French court for orchestrating the repeated drugging and rape of his wife over nearly a decade. Dominique Pelicot, who also invited dozens of men to rape his wife while she was unconscious, will forgo an appeal to spare Gisèle the trauma of another trial, his lawyer stated. Despite this, more than a dozen other men convicted in the same case are planning to appeal their sentences.
The case, which involved 51 defendants, has shocked France and brought increased awareness to issues of sexual violence. Gisèle Pelicot, who waived her anonymity, insisted that her trial be public to shift the shame onto the perpetrators. The trial lasted over three months and included harrowing details, such as Dominique Pelicot secretly filming the assaults.
During the proceedings, Gisèle testified about her years of unexplained fatigue due to the druggings. Despite the ordeal, she expressed determination, saying her fight was not just for her own justice but also for her grandchildren, becoming a symbol of strength in the fight against sexual abuse. The public significantly supported her, with demonstrations held across France.
