PARIS — Dominique Pelicot, the 72-year-old man sentenced to 20 years in prison for drugging and raping his then-wife Gisèle Pelicot while colluding with dozens of men to abuse her over a decade, has stated he will not appeal the verdict. His decision was announced by his lawyer, Béatrice Zavarro, who emphasized that her client aims to spare Gisele the distress of another trial.

The mass rape trial, which garnered global attention, concluded with the sentencing of Pelicot and 50 others for their involvement in the horrific abuse that shocked the French public and reverberated internationally. Gisele Pelicot, now 72, has emerged as a symbol of resilience, openly advocating for victims of sexual violence by waiving her right to anonymity. She insisted the trial proceedings be public to let survivors know that "shame should fall on the perpetrators, not the victims" (New York Times).

Pelicot had previously admitted guilt and received the maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment for aggravated rape. He will not be eligible for early release until he serves at least two-thirds of his sentence. He expressed through his lawyer that pursuing an appeal could reopen painful wounds for Gisèle: “Today, he considers that the judicial page must be turned and that we must consider this chapter closed,” said Zavarro (The Guardian).

While Pelicot has chosen not to contest his conviction, at least 17 of his co-defendants are proceeding with appeals as the deadline approached. Their sentences varied between three to 15 years for various charges, including rape and attempted rape (BBC). Many of the accused contended that they believed their actions were consensual, not recognizing the absence of consent under the law.

The trial has ignited a national discourse on rape culture and spurred advocates to demand an overhaul of France's legal definitions surrounding consent, which currently lacks explicit mention of the necessity for consent in sexual interactions. The societal reckoning resulted from Gisèle Pelicot’s testimony and the public nature of the trial, where she expressed solidarity with other victims of sexual abuse (Independent).

Following the trial, calls for reform in judicial proceedings concerning sexual violence cases have gained momentum, reflecting a broader challenge to the narrative surrounding consent in France's legal framework. Activists are hopeful that the outcome of this case will catalyze significant changes within the judicial system and societal attitudes towards survivors of sexual violence.