A court in southern France has increased by a year the jail term of Husamettin Dogan, the only man who challenged his conviction for raping Gisèle Pelicot. The retired grandmother, who was drugged by her then-husband Dominique Pelicot, experienced a decade of sexual abuse at the hands of multiple men. Dogan, who had argued for his innocence, was confronted with graphic video evidence of his assault.
The Nîmes court of appeal rejected Dogan's appeal, extending his sentence from nine to ten years. Prosecutor Dominique Sié had urged a 12-year sentence, accusing Dogan of failing to take responsibility for his actions. The case remains significant due to its implications for justice in sexual violence cases, particularly highlighted by the video evidence that aided in convicting multiple perpetrators.
Despite having been held in pre-trial detention prior to last year's trial, Dogan has not served any time since. Of the 51 men convicted in connection with the case, Dogan was the sole individual to appeal his conviction.
During the retrial, Dogan maintained that he could not be guilty as he was unaware of Pelicot's drugging of his wife. This perspective was echoed by many other convicted men, raising concerns regarding the accountability of sexual offenders in situations of drug-induced incapacitation.
Testimony from Gisèle Pelicot, asserting her status as the only victim of the series of rapes, emphasized the need for recognition of consent and the real impacts of such crimes. Her poignant statements in court aimed at holding assailants accountable and highlighted the emotional toll on her family, deepening the narrative surrounding this troubling series of events.
Gisèle, who has gained attention for her bravery in speaking out against her husband's manipulations, expressed her hopes for fellow victims, encouraging them to be unashamed of their experiences and to seek support in their recovery.
