Overview

• Dominique Pelicot, the central figure in the trial, is accused of drugging his wife Gisèle over a nine-year period and orchestrating her repeated rape by dozens of men while she was unconscious.
• The trial, held in Avignon, involves 51 accused men, with verdicts expected on December 20; sentences could range from four to 20 years if convicted.
• Defense attorneys argue that many of the accused were manipulated by Pelicot and lacked intent to commit rape, citing alleged misrepresentation of the situation as consensual by the orchestrator.
• Gisèle Pelicot, who insisted on a public trial to confront 'rape culture,' has become a symbol of resilience and advocacy against sexual violence in France.
• The case has highlighted systemic failures in addressing sexual violence, including delayed justice and societal attitudes toward consent and accountability.