2024-11-25 09:38:00
After eleven weeks of hearings, the prosecution requested on Monday 25 November 20 years of criminal confinement, the maximum sentence, against Dominique Pelicot, for drugging, raping and causing rape of his wife, Gisèle Pelicot, for ten years. This extraordinary test entered the home stretch on Monday in Avignon. Coincidentally, the prosecution, which could last three days, begins on the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. “The accusation on this very special day is an additional symbol”Antoine Camus, one of the lawyers for the civil parties, assured on Monday morning.
The Mazan rape trial, named after the village where the couple lived and where the vast majority of events took place, “It is shaking our society in our relationship with others”commented the first of the two representatives of the public prosecutor, Jean-François Mayet. The question, according to him, “It is not a conviction or an acquittal”Moreover “radically change relationships between men and women”. Gisèle Pelicot, 71, gained feminist icon status after refusing to have her trial held behind closed doors in order to “Let shame change sides”. “It’s a lot of emotion”he said as he entered the courtroom.
In front of the professional magistrates who make up the court, the two representatives of the public prosecutor had planned to begin their indictment with the “conductor” of this decade of rape. Dominique Pelicot, the common denominator of the 50 co-defendants recruited on the Internet, to whom he had delivered his now ex-wife, previously sedated with anxiolytics, in their marital home in Mazan between July 2011 and October 2020.
Dominique Pelicot never hid his responsibilities, calling himself “rapist”. “I’m guilty of what I did (…). I ruined everything, I lost everything. I have to pay”he said shortly after the trial began. But what sentences will the public prosecutor ask for against his 50 co-defendants? Because, even if the majority are tried for the same facts, namely the aggravated rape of Gisèle Pelicot, and therefore risk up to twenty years in prison, the individualization of sentences is mandatory. For example, to distinguish repeat offenders – ten men came several times – from those who came only once to Mazan.
“Twenty years for everyone”, ask the feminist collectives
Could these men, aged between 26 and 74, legitimately believe they were participating in the scenario of a libertine couple, in which the wife pretended to be asleep? Were they? “manipulated” by Dominique Pelicot? Or was their judgment compromised at the time of the facts, as lawyers for 33 of them suggested on Wednesday? the prosecution will have a heavier hand against the 35 defendants who, at the opening of the trial, still firmly denied having participated in a “viola”, despite the damning videos shot by Dominique Pelicot? For the feminist collectives who put up a banner on the ramparts in front of the court on Sunday evening, the request was very clear: “Twenty years for everyone”they asked.
According to the official timetable, the arraignment is expected to take place over three days. But according to information gathered between the various parties by Agence France-Presse (AFP), it could end late Wednesday morning. After the Pelicot case, the Prosecutor’s Office should advance in crescendo, starting with the less serious cases, those of Joseph C., 69 years old, and Hugues M., 39 years old, accused of sexual assault and attempted rape respectively, before tackling the 48 others (one of whom is on the run).
Covered almost all over the world, with 138 accredited media, of which 57 foreign, this process has resonance far beyond the French borders. As the president of the Chilean Chamber of Deputies, Karol Cariola, testified on Thursday while welcoming us “courage and dignity” of Mrs. Pelicot, “a common citizen who taught the whole world a lesson”. And over this weekend, tens of thousands of people – many women, but also men – marched across France to demand a “surprise” against violence against women, many refer to this extraordinary process.
afternoon or Thursday at the latest, the defense lawyers will be given the floor. Dominique Pelicot’s lawyer, Béatrice Zavarro, will be the first to speak. Then his colleagues will follow one another, until December 13th. The court will then have a week to deliberate, with the verdict expected on December 20 at the latest.
How do feminist collectives influence the outcome and public perception of high-profile sexual violence cases?
Time.news Editor: Good morning, and welcome to this special interview as we delve into the significant ongoing trial known as the Mazan rape trial. With us today is Dr. Claire Martin, a renowned expert in gender studies and sexual violence. Thank you for joining us, Dr. Martin.
Dr. Claire Martin: Thank you for having me. It’s an important topic that deserves attention.
Time.news Editor: Indeed, it is. The trial has gained national prominence due to the shocking nature of the allegations and the sheer number of defendants involved. Could you provide us with some context on the events surrounding the case of Gisèle Pelicot?
Dr. Claire Martin: Certainly. Gisèle Pelicot has come to symbolize resilience and bravery in the face of horrific circumstances. For nearly a decade, she was subjected to drugging and repeated acts of rape at the hands of her husband, Dominique Pelicot, and numerous co-defendants. It’s unprecedented, not only in its scale but also in the fact that Gisèle courageously insisted on a public trial, aiming to shift the stigma away from victims to their perpetrators.
Time.news Editor: That’s a powerful statement. The prosecution has requested a maximum sentence of 20 years for Dominique Pelicot. What implications does such a request have for the broader social discourse on sexual violence?
Dr. Claire Martin: The request for a severe sentence is indicative of a societal push toward accountability. It reflects a legal and cultural shift, emphasizing that sexual violence, particularly within intimate relationships, will not be tolerated. The timing of the prosecution coinciding with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women adds an extra layer of significance, highlighting the urgent need for change.
Time.news Editor: I can see how that timing provides a poignant backdrop. It must also raise complex questions regarding the culpability of the co-defendants, many of whom claim a lack of awareness about the scenario they were engaging in. How do you view this defence?
Dr. Claire Martin: The claims of being manipulated or misled by Dominique Pelicot raise critical issues. While it is essential to investigate the extent of each individual’s responsibility, we cannot overlook the truth captured in the damning evidence, including videos. The presence of multiple men involved over such an extended period indicates a societal failure in recognizing and intervening against abusive practices. It’s vital that we consider the moral responsibility of all parties who participated, regardless of their defenses.
Time.news Editor: Feminist collectives have been vocal throughout the trial, demanding justice for Gisèle and calling for 20-year sentences for all involved. What does this collective action signify in the current climate of addressing sexual violence?
Dr. Claire Martin: The mobilization of feminist collectives underscores a growing societal recognition that survivors deserve justice and that perpetrators must face significant consequences. This activism challenges traditional narratives around victimhood and empowers women to reclaim their stories. By demanding equal accountability for all the defendants, these groups are advocating for a systemic change in how we address issues of consent and sexual violence, which have far-reaching implications for societal norms.
Time.news Editor: Given the nuances and complexities of the trial, what do you believe will be the lasting impact on gender relations within society?
Dr. Claire Martin: The Mazan rape trial has the potential to be transformative. It could fundamentally alter the discourse surrounding consent, power dynamics within relationships, and how we view and treat survivors of sexual violence. If addressed properly, it can lead to heightened awareness and a cultural reckoning that promotes healthier relationships between genders. The trial forces us to confront uncomfortable truths and encourages a shift towards equality and respect.
Time.news Editor: Thank you, Dr. Martin, for sharing your insights today. The implications of this case stretch beyond the courtroom, urging us to reflect on societal change and our collective responsibility in fighting against sexual violence.
Dr. Claire Martin: Thank you for this important conversation. It’s crucial that we continue to engage with these subjects openly and honestly.
Time.news Editor: We look forward to covering further developments in the trial and hope for justice for Gisèle Pelicot and all survivors of sexual violence. Thank you for joining us.