OM demands sentences up to twenty years in rape case of Gisèle Pelicot

paris - The Public Prosecution Service has completed its closing arguments in the rape case involving Gisèle Pelicot, with demands for prison sentences ranging from 4 to 20 years for the 51 defendants.

The heaviest sentence was imposed on Dominique Pelicot, the main perpetrator who drugged and raped his wife for nearly ten years, also letting her be raped by dozens of men he recruited online. The minimum sentence was demanded against the 69-year-old Joseph C.; he was only charged with assaulting Gisèle Pelicot.

All other requested sentences ranged from 10 to 18 years in prison. A 10-year prison term was requested against eleven defendants, followed by 11 years for two defendants, 12 years for thirteen defendants, 13 years for six defendants, 14 years for six defendants, 15 years for three defendants, 16 years for four defendants, 17 years for three defendants, and 18 years for the last defendant. This included one of the four men who visited the Pelicot residence six times to rape Gisèle Pelicot.

These sentences are significantly heavier than the general average for rape convictions in France, which was 11.1 years in 2022, according to the Ministry of Justice.

Prosecutor Laure Chabaud stated that the sentence demands are a message of hope for victims of sexual violence. Chabaud hopes that the verdict, expected by December 20, will lead to 'a real and profound awareness' among the perpetrators in this case, particularly regarding the concept of consent.

The main perpetrator, Dominique Pelicot, has never shied away from his responsibility and called himself a 'rapist.' 'I am guilty of what I have done [...] I have ruined everything, I have lost everything. I must pay,' he said shortly after the trial began.