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Gisele Pelicot speaks to the press as she leaves the courtroom, in the Avignon courthouse, southern France, December 19, 2024
“THANK You Gisele,” a huge banner read opposite the Avignon courtroom today as Gisele Pelicot watched her rapist husband Dominique sentenced to 20 years behind bars.
Mr Pelicot received the maximum sentence for aggravated rape under French law after admitting he had drugged his wife over years, knocking her out and recruiting strangers online who abused her while he filmed the process. At 72, he may die in jail.
All 50 men accused of the rape or sexual assault of Ms Pelicot in a trial which has shaken France got jail sentences, ranging from three to 15 years, though prosecutors said they felt many of the sentences were too lenient.
Gisele Pelicot said ‘shame must change sides.’ We may think we agree, but, argues LOUISE RAW, society still has some way to go
ANNA FISHER explores what would it mean for women’s equality and public safety if Britain embraces full commercialisation of the sex trade
AMANDA J QUICK warns about the ever-expanding influence of the sex industry – and the harm it unleashes on both the women involved and society collectively, especially the young
LYNNE WALSH reports from the Women’s Declaration International conference on feminist struggles from Britain to the Far East