Landmark Verdict Nears in Dominique Pelicot Serial Rape Case

The trial has exposed systemic failures in addressing drug-facilitated sexual violence, with Gisèle Pelicot emerging as a symbol of resilience and justice.

• Dominique Pelicot admitted to drugging his wife Gisèle and facilitating her sexual assault by over 70 men, with 51 of them facing trial in Avignon, France.
• The case has drawn international attention for its shocking details, including Pelicot's extensive archive of over 20,000 images and videos documenting the abuse.
• Prosecutors are seeking the maximum 20-year sentence for Pelicot and up to 20 years for accomplices, arguing that the lack of consent constitutes rape under French law.
• Gisèle Pelicot's decision to face her abusers in court has made her a global advocate against drug-facilitated sexual violence, inspiring legal reforms and public awareness campaigns in France.
• The trial's outcome, expected next week, could set new legal precedents for handling cases of sexual violence and redefine societal perceptions of consent and accountability.

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