Gisèle Pelicot has shown incredible strength after nearly a decade of unimaginable abuse, drugged by her ex-husband and assaulted by dozens of men while unconscious. Recently, the only man who challenged his conviction was sentenced to 10 years in prison, up from nine. Husamettin Dogan’s appeal was rejected by the court in Nîmes after evidence proved his guilt beyond doubt.
At 72, Gisèle has become a symbol of courage for victims everywhere. During the trial, she waived her right to anonymity to make a public stand. She told the court she has no regrets about holding the men accountable and encouraged survivors to never feel shame for what happened to them. The responsibility lies solely with the abusers.
Dogan claimed his involvement was manipulated and consensual, but the court reviewed videos clearly showing him raping an unconscious, snoring Gisèle who was at risk of suffocation. In court, Gisèle confronted him, demanding he accept that what he did was rape, not consensual sex.
The horrifying abuse was only uncovered after her ex-husband was arrested for secretly videotaping women, which initiated an investigation that revealed the full scale of the attacks on Gisèle. She now lives with lasting physical and emotional consequences, including chronic health conditions from the trauma.
