Gisele Pelicot’s attackers already walking free weeks after guilty verdicts
Less than two months after more than 50 men were found guilty of the rape and abuse of Gisele Pelicot, at least six of them are already free.
Gisele Pelicot – a woman who has become a feminist symbol of the fight against sexual violence in France –stood bravely as her husband of 38 years and more than 50 other men were on trial for raping and drugging her for ten years.
In December, a court found 51 of the defendants guilty of rape, two guilty of attempted rape and two guilty of sexual assault.
Six of those convicted walked free in December because of ‘poor health’ or already serving their sentence in pre-trial detention.
The Sunday Times reported that some of the guilty men have already returned to their ‘picture-perfect towns’ and families.
French law allows prisoners to be released early if they have served half of their sentence – and if they’re above the age of 70, have a home to return to or have demonstrated good behaviour, it’s even easier to get an early release.
One man reportedly only served 11 months of his five-year sentence, according to the Sunday Times.
It comes as half of the 51 men convicted of raping or sexually assaulting Gisele Pelicot with the aid of Dominique Pelicot launched a bid to appeal their sentences.
Among the convicted that have appealed is Charly Abo, who was sentenced to 13 years in jail for raping Ms Pelicot on six separate occasions.
Some of the men who were convicted have argued they were ‘manipulated’ by Pelicot into raping his ex-wife, and were not aware she had not given her consent.
This Is Not Right
On November 25, 2024 Metro launched This Is Not Right, a year-long campaign to address the relentless epidemic of violence against women.
Throughout the year we will be bringing you stories that shine a light on the sheer scale of the epidemic.
With the help of our partners at Women's Aid, This Is Not Right aims to engage and empower our readers on the issue of violence against women.
You can find more articles here, and if you want to share your story with us, you can send us an email at vaw@metro.co.uk.
Read more:
- Introducing This Is Not Right: Metro's year-long violence against women campaign
- Yvette Cooper's message to abusers and rapists: The streets don't belong to you
- Remembering the women killed by men in 2024
- Stories about violence against women don't make an impact - this is why
- Men - we need your help to end violence against women
- What to do if your loved one is at risk from domestic abuse
43-year-old Simoné Mekense has been sentenced to nine years in prison.
What to do if you've been raped
If you have been the victim of rape, either recently or historically, and are looking for help, support is out there.
- If you have recently been raped and you are still at risk, ring 999 and ask for the police. Otherwise, the first step is to go somewhere you are safe.
- If you want to report your rape to the police, ring 999 or the police non-emergency line on 101. An Independent Sexual Violence Advocate (ISVA) will often be on hand to help you through reporting and even after you have made a statement, you can still decide to withdraw from the criminal justice process at any time.
- If you plan on going to the police, if possible, do not wash your clothes or shower, bathe or brush your teeth. If you do get changed, keep the clothes you were wearing in a plastic bag. These steps will help to preserve any DNA evidence your attacker may have left on your body or clothes.
- If you don’t want to contact the police, Rape Crisis suggest talking to someone you trust about what has happened; or you can ring one of the UK’s many rape and sexual assault helplines.
- Anyone aged 16+ can contact Rape Crisis's 24/7 Support Line by calling 0808 500 2222 or starting an online chat.
- If you have been injured, you’re best advised to go to your nearest A&E to seek medical treatment. If you are uninjured, you can go to your nearest Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC). The NHS has information on where to find your nearest centre here.
- If your rape is historic, you can still access support, including from the police – there is no time limit on reporting and your account can still be used as evidence.
Read more here.
His lawyer, Yannick Prat, has argued that the sentence was ‘disproportionate’, and said his client said he ‘never meant to rape Gisele Pelicot’.
Under French law, the identities of victims of sexual assault are normally hidden, however, Gisele insisted on a public trial to expose her ex-husband and the 50 others convicted of raping her.
In a move of solidarity with women who go unrecognised as victims of sexual crimes, Gisele has allowed the press to publish her full name, and the court to show explicit videos of her abuse filmed by her husband, that show men engaging in sexual intercourse with her while she was unconscious.
‘I have decided not to be ashamed, I have done nothing wrong,’ she previously told the court. ‘They are the ones who must be ashamed.
‘I’m not expressing hatred or hate, but I am determined that things change in this society.’
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