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French rape survivor Gisèle Pelicot has expressed outrage after three teenage boys convicted over the rape of two girls in Hampshire avoided custodial sentences, saying she was “deeply shocked” by the court’s decision.
The case involved two girls, aged 15 and 14 at the time, who were assaulted in separate incidents in Fordingbridge between November 2024 and January 2025. Two boys, both aged 14 during the attacks, were convicted of rape, while another boy, aged 13 at the time, was found guilty for encouraging one of the assaults.
Speaking to the BBC, Pelicot said the victims would continue to suffer long after the offenders had regained their freedom.
She stressed that rape is a serious crime and said the justice system has a duty to acknowledge victims’ suffering and ensure such offences do not go unpunished. Pelicot also praised one of the girls for bravely coming forward and speaking publicly about her experience, describing the decision as incredibly courageous.
Pelicot became internationally known after the historic rape trial involving her former husband, Dominique Pelicot, who was sentenced to 20 years in prison after repeatedly drugging her and allowing dozens of men to sexually assault her. She chose to waive her anonymity during the trial to encourage other victims to speak out.
The Hampshire case has also raised renewed concerns about the influence of social media after videos of the assaults were reportedly shared online. Pelicot called on governments and technology companies to do more to protect vulnerable young people and prevent the spread of abusive content.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the crimes as “appalling” and praised the victims for their “extraordinary bravery and strength.”
The sentences handed down at Southampton Crown Court are now under review by Attorney General Lord Richard Hermer.
Two of the boys, now aged 15, received three-year Youth Rehabilitation Orders with intensive supervision after being convicted of multiple rape and indecent image offences. The third boy, now 14, received an 18-month Youth Rehabilitation Order for encouraging one of the attacks.
All three were also given curfews and restraining orders banning contact with the victims for 10 years.
During sentencing, Judge Nicholas Rowland said he wanted to avoid “criminalising” the boys because of their young ages, while still recognising the seriousness of the offences and the added harm caused by filming the assaults.
One of the victims, now 16, said the sentences felt like a “slap on the wrist” and questioned why she endured the trauma of a court trial only to see the offenders avoid secure detention.
The Attorney General now has 28 days to decide whether the sentences should be referred to the Court of Appeal for reconsideration.
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