Gisèle Pelicot 'deeply shocked' by decision not to jail boys in Fordingbridge rape case

French rape survivor Gisèle Pelicot has expressed her shock at the decision not to imprison boys involved in a rape case in Fordingbridge, England. Speaking to BBC Breakfast, she praised the courage of the young victim who came forward. The case has reignited debate around sentencing for sexual violence.

French rape survivor and activist [Gisèle Pelicot](/politicians/gisele-pelicot) has spoken out about her dismay at a UK court's decision not to send the boys involved in a rape case in Fordingbridge, southern England, to prison. In an interview with BBC Breakfast, she described herself as "deeply shocked" by the outcome, saying it sends a troubling message to victims of sexual violence.

Pelicot, who became a global symbol of courage after enduring years of abuse and choosing to waive her anonymity during her high-profile French trial, used the interview to highlight what she sees as a broader failure of justice systems to adequately punish perpetrators of sexual crimes, regardless of age.

Despite her criticism of the sentencing decision, Pelicot was quick to commend the bravery of the young girl at the centre of the Fordingbridge case. She said the victim's decision to come forward took tremendous strength and urged society to support survivors rather than question them.

The Fordingbridge case has drawn significant attention across the UK and Europe, sparking debate about how courts handle sexual violence cases involving young defendants and whether non-custodial sentences send the right signal. Campaigners for survivors' rights have called for a review of sentencing guidelines.

Pelicot's intervention adds international weight to the domestic discussion. Her own case in France — in which dozens of men were convicted of raping her while she was drugged by her then-husband — became a landmark moment in the global conversation about consent, victim-blaming, and justice.