In a landmark trial in Avignon, France, prosecutors have begun presenting their demands for punishment against 51 defendants accused of participating in the severe abuse of Gisèle Pelicot. Over nearly a decade, Pelicot was drugged and assaulted by her now ex-husband, Dominique Pelicot, and other men he said he invited to do the same. Public prosecutors are recommending a maximum 20-year sentence for Dominique, who confessed to his crimes, admitting he mixed sedatives into his wife's food and beverages to facilitate the assaults.
Gisèle Pelicot's courage throughout the proceedings has resonated internationally, especially among advocates against sexual violence. She waived her right to anonymity and insisted on presenting graphic courtroom evidence, including videos documenting her unconscious state during the assaults. On Monday, as the trial coincided with the international day for the elimination of violence against women, prosecutor Jean-François Mayet emphasized the societal need to alter perceptions regarding rape culture and acknowledged Pelicot's bravery in shifting the stigma from victims to perpetrators.
The trial has gripped onlookers, some of whom have jeered at defendants while supporting Gisèle as she works to redefine victimhood. Her efforts are seen as transforming the discourse on consent and feminist activism. Meanwhile, Dominique Pelicot's lawyer has accepted the proposed penalty as expected considering the gravity of his actions. "There's no surprise in asking for 20 years, and that's what I personally expected. But it's still a shocking and heavy sentence for a man who'll be 72 in a few days," she said. The court is poised to deliver its verdicts before December 20. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)
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