“Incredible bravery.” “Unthinkable.” “Everything has changed.”

These expressions capture the reactions following a French court’s decision on Thursday to sentence Dominique Pelicot, the former husband of 72-year-old Gisele Pelicot, to 20 years in prison. He was found guilty of repeatedly drugging her and organizing men to rape her while she was incapacitated, a case that has shocked both France and the wider world. Alongside 50 other men, Dominique Pelicot was convicted of aggravated rape and additional crimes, making this the largest rape trial in French history, deeply disturbing the public’s sense of justice.

Gisele Pelicot, a grandmother who thought she was in a happy marriage, endured nearly ten years of abuse. Her husband used sleeping pills to sedate her and captured footage of other men assaulting her.

She insisted on a public trial because she wanted her story to be heard globally. She was present every day in court in Avignon, surrounded by her family, becoming a beacon of hope for many survivors of sexual violence.

“The immense bravery of Gisele Pelicot should be acknowledged through the public identification of all 50 men found guilty of their offenses,” one user on X remarked. “May this case serve as a precedent for future sexual assault cases.” Another user commented: “Gisele Pelicot is among the most courageous women I’ve encountered; her focus on supporting other victims going through similar experiences is truly commendable.”

Gisele Pelicot’s willingness to come forward significantly affected how sexual assault survivors perceive their situations, showing them they are not alone and helping to alleviate stigma. However, securing convictions for sexual assault remains rare; in the U.S., it’s reported that out of every 1,000 sexual assaults, 975 offenders evade justice, according to RAINN.

“What Gisele Pelicot achieved is exceptionally courageous and ultimately the most viable route to holding offenders accountable,” explains Elizabeth Jeglic, a psychology professor at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice. “In her circumstance, she received a positive outcome, with her abusers facing legal consequences, which sadly isn’t the reality for many survivors.”

Gisele Pelicot is inspiring other victims of rape and sexual abuse

Despite this, Pelicot’s courageous actions have significantly changed perceptions surrounding these grievous offenses.

Her situation illustrated that “assault and violence can transpire within intimate relationships and one’s own home,” notes Amy Morin, a psychotherapist, author, and podcast host. “Frequently, survivors are wrongly accused of being at fault for their circumstances, such as frequenting bars or connecting with men online. Yet Gisele demonstrated that she became a victim at the hands of her husband alongside numerous others, right in her residence.”

Social media channels erupted with support for Gisele Pelicot, including messages from ordinary people and officials alike. “In your voice, we hear the voices of countless victims, the shame transforms sides, and the taboos dissolve. Our world has been altered because of you,” stated Yael Braun-Pivet, president of France’s National Assembly, on social media following the verdict.

“Gisele’s choice to make her case public empowers other victims of rape and sexual exploitation,” asserts psychologist Reneé Carr. “Her bravery in bringing her extreme case of exploitation to light can inspire other victims to also step forward and recognize their innocence.”

The importance of supporting survivors of sexual assault

While Pelicot’s bravery sparks valuable discussions, it also opens conversations about sexual crimes in general. “Had it not been for a supermarket security guard convincing a woman to report Pelicot for up-skirting, his heinous acts might have remained hidden,” a user on X reminded the public. “As we applaud Gisele Pelicot’s courage, let’s also reconsider our response to ‘minor’ sexual offenses.”

Furthermore, French feminist activist Anissa Rami, who participated in a protest, expressed hope that this discussion will continue. “I am not optimistic about the justice system itself, but I have faith in the women who feel less isolated now,” she stated.

The next steps depend on the community’s response: Will this motivate individuals to report all forms of abuse? The potential for change rests on the lessons learned from this case.

“The more we offer support to survivors, the more inclined they will be to come forward,” Jeglic concludes.

It is vital that survivors get the help they need to heal, and that those responsible for the crimes are held accountable for their actions.

If you have survived sexual assault, feel free to reach out to the National Sexual Assault Hotline by calling 800.656.HOPE (4673) or visiting hotline.rainn.org/online for private assistance.