A French man found guilty and sentenced for inviting dozens of people to rape his drugged wife

Dominique Pelicot, a 72-year-old French man, has been found guilty on multiple charges related to the repeated drugging, rape, and abuse of his wife, Gisèle Pelicot. He was sentenced to the maximum 20 years in prison. The court heard that for about a decade, Dominique drugged his wife and invited others to sexually assault her while she was unconscious, filming the attacks. This case, which has shocked the world, highlights issues surrounding “rape culture” in France.

Gisèle, who bravely testified and attended the trial, has since divorced Dominique and is being praised for her courage in publicly exposing the abuse. The case also implicated nearly 50 other individuals, with prison sentences ranging from 10 to 18 years sought for the men involved. One of the men was acquitted of rape but found guilty of aggravated sexual assault.

The trial brought attention to disturbing revelations, including Dominique’s possession of a nude photo of his own daughter and videos of women he filmed without their consent. The case has sparked widespread calls in France for better protection of women and more severe measures to address sexual violence.