A Frenchman was convicted in a shocking rape trial that left the world reeling.

A man from France was convicted of drugging his wife of 50 years, inviting strangers to rape her, and filming the assaults.

The maximum sentence of 20 years was given to Dominique Pelicot, the ex-husband of Gisèle Pelicot, by the lead judge of the court in Avignon, Roger Arata.

For years, Dominique Pelicot admitted to drugging his then wife of 50 years and allowing strangers he met online to abuse her while he filmed the assaults.

Gisèle Pelicot, a 72-year-old grandmother, has become a feminist hero of the nation after enduring an appalling ordeal for nearly a decade in what she believed was a loving marriage. Despite the bruising and stunning trial, she displayed immense courage.

The historic case, which lasted over three months, deeply impacted the nation and motivated activists to fight against sexual violence, resulting in demands for stricter measures to eliminate rape culture.

In Avignon, France, 50 men, including Dominique Pelicot, were put on trial for aggravated rape and attempted rape and could receive up to 20 years in prison if found guilty.

The prosecutors requested the maximum penalty and sentences of 10 to 18 years for the other defendants, in addition to a four-year prison term for the defendant charged with aggravated sexual assault.

In the small Provence town of Mazan and other locations, 51 men were accused of participating in Dominique Pelicot's rape and abuse fantasies that were acted out in a retirement home.

Dominique Pelicot admitted to giving his then wife tranquilizers in her food and drink, rendering her unconscious for hours, allowing him to do whatever he wanted to her.

Gisèle Pelicot's bravery in revealing her identity as a sexual abuse survivor and advocating for open court hearings and damning evidence, including videos, has sparked discussions nationally in France and among individuals about safeguarding women and men's role in achieving that objective.

In September 2020, a supermarket security guard noticed Dominique Pelicot secretly recording women's skirts.

The police discovered his extensive collection of homemade images depicting years of abuse inflicted on his wife, consisting of over 20,000 photos and videos, stored on computer drives and labeled in folders such as "abuse," "her rapists," and "night alone."