French Survivor Reacts to Sentencing in Hampshire Rape Case
French rape survivor Gisèle Pelicot has expressed to the BBC that she is "deeply shocked" by the decision to spare three teenage boys from custodial sentences following the rape of two girls in Hampshire.
Two girls, aged 15 and 14 at the time, were raped in separate incidents in Fordingbridge in November 2024 and January 2025 by two 14-year-old boys. A third boy, aged 13 at the time, was also convicted for his involvement in the second attack.
The attorney general is currently reviewing the youth rehabilitation order sentences handed down by the judge, who last week stated his intention to avoid "criminalising" the "very young" defendants.
Pelicot praised the courage of one of the young victims for speaking out after the assaults.
Warning: This story contains details some may find distressing
Pelicit’s Response to the Sentencing
Speaking on BBC Breakfast, Pelicot said she was "deeply shocked that these individuals were in fact able to gain their freedom again when in fact the victims are suffering so hard they will never be able to heal".
Pelicit, aged 73, was central to the largest rape trial in French history, which resulted in her husband receiving a 20-year prison sentence. Dominique Pelicot repeatedly drugged her unconscious and invited numerous men to rape her.
"Rape is a crime and justice has an essential role. It's there to, in fact, name the crimes, to recognise the suffering of victims, and to remember that in fact they must not remain unpunished," said Pelicot.
She notably waived her legal right to anonymity during her own trial, stating:
"I want all women who have been raped to say: Madame Pelicot did it, I can too."
Victim’s Reaction and Pelicot’s Support
One of the victims, who was 15 at the time of the attack, told the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme that the decision to spare the offenders from custodial sentences felt like a "rock straight in my face".
Pelicit expressed hope that her own story "was useful for her to make that decision" to come forward.
"I really salute her strength and the decision she made, because I know that it's an incredibly difficult decision," she told BBC Breakfast.
Social Media’s Role and Calls for Protection
The Fordingbridge case has again raised concerns about the role of social media, as the boys shared videos of the attacks online.
Pelicit urged governments and major technology companies to intensify efforts to protect victims.
Official Reactions and Sentencing Details
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer described the case as "appalling", praising the two girls for their "extraordinary bravery and strength in heinous circumstances".
The sentences given by Judge Nicholas Rowland at Southampton Crown Court to the three boys are under review by Attorney General Lord Richard Hermer.
One 15-year-old received a three-year Youth Rehabilitation Order (YRO) with 180 days of intensive supervision and surveillance for the rape of each of the two girls and two charges related to indecent images.
The other 15-year-old was given the same sentence for three counts of rape against each victim and four counts of taking indecent images.
The 14-year-old boy was sentenced to an 18-month YRO for charges of rape in the January 2025 attack, specifically for encouraging one of the other defendants.
None of the boys would have been sent to prison even if custodial sentences had been imposed, as under-18s serve custodial sentences in secure children’s centres.
The attorney general has 28 days to decide whether to refer the sentences to the Court of Appeal.
Cabinet Minister Darren Jones told the BBC he expected the decision to be made sooner, stating:
"We all want to look at this urgently."
Victim’s Family Seeks Harsher Sentences
One victim, now 16, said she and her family want the sentences changed and the boys imprisoned, describing the current sentences as a "slap on the wrist".
"Why did I sit and put myself through the pain of going to court, going through a trial, reliving everything because of evidence and watching it all happen again?" the girl asked.
Government Statement
A government spokesperson said:
"We share the public's shock at the details of this horrific case, and our thoughts are with the young victims during this distressing time.
"The law officers are urgently reviewing the case with the utmost care and attention."
