A 72-year-old man from France, Dominique Pelicot, was convicted of drugging his wife, Gisele Pelicot, and allowing men to rape her repeatedly over a decade.
Pelicot received the maximum sentence of 20 years on December 19, 2024, in a case that sparked global outrage over sexual violence.
50 other men were also convicted in the case. Speaking in court, Gisele said, &ldquo;The profile of a rapist is not someone met in a car park late at night. A rapist can also be in the family, among our friends.&rdquo;
While the details of the case have horrified people worldwide, it is not the only instance of violence against women that has made headlines in 2024.
<h2>Kolkata doctor rape case</h2>
In the east Indian state of West Bengal, mass protests erupted after a young doctor was found murdered in the lecture hall at Kolkata&rsquo;s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/a-big-conspiracy-report-finds-no-evidence-of-struggle-resistance-at-kolkata-rg-kar-rape-scene-786381">&lsquo;A big conspiracy?&rsquo; Report finds no evidence of &lsquo;struggle, resistance&rsquo; at Kolkata RG Kar rape scene</a>
She had allegedly been sexually assaulted and tortured before being murdered.
A civic volunteer, Sanjay Roy, was arrested after the incident, and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) later took over the case.
The case brought to the surface the anger over women&rsquo;s safety in India, echoing the widespread protests following the 2012 Delhi gang rape and murder, which became famous as the 'Nirbhaya (fearless) case'.
Although harsher laws were introduced in India after the 2012 incident, there has been little evidence that these laws have reduced sexual violence.
Government data shows that in 2022, over 31,000 cases of rape were reported in India, equating to 85 rapes per day. 
Conviction rates for rape cases have remained low in the country, ranging between 27 per cent and 28 per cent from 2018 to 2022.
<h2>Crime against women in Afghanistan</h2>
In Afghanistan, the ruling Taliban have been accused of using sexual violence as a tool of oppression.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghan-women-banned-from-midwife-and-nurse-education-in-new-talibans-decree-report-781269">Afghan women 'banned from midwife and nurse education' in Taliban's new decree: Report</a>
As per a recent report, a human rights activist who fled the country after being raped and tortured in prison was sent a video of her assault as an intimidation tactic.
The video later made headlines and highlighted the crime against women taking place in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan.
<h2>Rape&nbsp;being used as a weapon of war in conflict zones</h2>
Violence against women has also&nbsp;been reported in conflict zones. In Sudan, a civil war has led to widespread sexual violence.
Human Rights Watch reported that the Rapid Support Forces have raped multiple women and girls, with some used as sex slaves. A recent investigation documented the cases of 79 survivors aged 7 to 50.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pope-francis-for-the-first-time-uses-genocide-for-israels-actions-in-gaza-calls-for-investigation-776996">Pope Francis, for the first time, labels Israel's actions in Gaza as 'genocide'; calls for investigation</a>
The United Nations reported nearly 3,700 cases of conflict-related sexual violence in 2023, with 95% of the victims being women and girls. Of these cases, 32% involved children, mostly girls, and 21 incidents targeted LGBTQI individuals.
"In the Sudan and Haiti, women and girls are being brutalized and terrorized by sexual violence committed at gunpoint. In Afghanistan, the systematic assault on, and erasure of, women and their rights is destroying lives and livelihoods. Two years since Russia&rsquo;s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, thousands of displaced and refugee women and girls face a heightened risk of being preyed upon by traffickers,&rdquo; said Pramila Patten, the UN&rsquo;s Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict while presenting the report on 23 April 2024.
In the Middle East, women and girls are disproportionately affected by the ongoing bloodshed, displacement, trauma, and terror, she added.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/multiple-onlyfans-accounts-with-suspected-child-sexual-abuse-material-report-786457">Multiple OnlyFans accounts with suspected child sexual abuse material: Report</a>
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/georgia-gay-couple-gets-100-years-in-jail-for-raping-adopted-sons-and-filming-child-pornography-786444"></a>According to the UN, women and children were among the victims of the October 7 attack on Israel by Hamas. In 2024, they are more than half of the victims of Israel's invasion of Gaza.
The healthcare system in Gaza is on the brink, with survivors of gender-based violence, pregnant women, and others in desperate need with nowhere to turn, Patten pointed out.
These reports of sexual violence against women in 2024 show a harsh global reality. Sadly, they are just the visible surface of a far deeper crisis, with many more cases hidden by fear and societal stigma. These incidents show the urgent need to address the root causes and ensure accountability.
(With inputs from agencies)

While the details of Gisele Pelicot's case have horrified people worldwide, it is not the only instance of violence against women that has made headlines in 2024.

A 72-year-old man from France, Dominique Pelicot, was convicted of drugging his wife, Gisele Pelicot, and allowing men to rape her repeatedly over a decade. Pelicot received the maximum sentence of 20 years on December 19, 2024, in a case that sparked global outrage over sexual violence. 50 other men were also convicted in the case. Speaking in court, Gisele said, “The profile of a rapist is not someone met in a car park late at night. A rapist can also be in the family, among our friends.” While the details of the case have horrified people worldwide, it is not the only instance of violence against women that has made headlines in 2024. Kolkata doctor rape case In the east Indian state of West Bengal, mass protests erupted after a young doctor was found murdered in the lecture hall at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9. Also read: ‘A big conspiracy?’ Report finds no evidence of ‘struggle, resistance’ at Kolkata RG Kar rape scene She had allegedly been sexually assaulted and tortured before being murdered. A civic volunteer, Sanjay Roy, was arrested after the incident, and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) later took over the case. The case brought to the surface the anger over women’s safety in India, echoing the widespread protests following the 2012 Delhi gang rape and murder, which became famous as the 'Nirbhaya (fearless) case'. Although harsher laws were introduced in India after the 2012 incident, there has been little evidence that these laws have reduced sexual violence. Government data shows that in 2022, over 31,000 cases of rape were reported in India, equating to 85 rapes per day. Conviction rates for rape cases have remained low in the country, ranging between 27 per cent and 28 per cent from 2018 to 2022. Crime against women in Afghanistan In Afghanistan, the ruling Taliban have been accused of using sexual violence as a tool of oppression. Also read: Afghan women 'banned from midwife and nurse education' in Taliban's new decree: Report As per a recent report, a human rights activist who fled the country after being raped and tortured in prison was sent a video of her assault as an intimidation tactic. The video later made headlines and highlighted the crime against women taking place in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan. Rape being used as a weapon of war in conflict zones Violence against women has also been reported in conflict zones. In Sudan, a civil war has led to widespread sexual violence. Human Rights Watch reported that the Rapid Support Forces have raped multiple women and girls, with some used as sex slaves. A recent investigation documented the cases of 79 survivors aged 7 to 50. Also read: Pope Francis, for the first time, labels Israel's actions in Gaza as 'genocide'; calls for investigation The United Nations reported nearly 3,700 cases of conflict-related sexual violence in 2023, with 95% of the victims being women and girls. Of these cases, 32% involved children, mostly girls, and 21 incidents targeted LGBTQI individuals. "In the Sudan and Haiti, women and girls are being brutalized and terrorized by sexual violence committed at gunpoint. In Afghanistan, the systematic assault on, and erasure of, women and their rights is destroying lives and livelihoods. Two years since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, thousands of displaced and refugee women and girls face a heightened risk of being preyed upon by traffickers,” said Pramila Patten, the UN’s Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict while presenting the report on 23 April 2024. In the Middle East, women and girls are disproportionately affected by the ongoing bloodshed, displacement, trauma, and terror, she added. Also read: Multiple OnlyFans accounts with suspected child sexual abuse material: Report According to the UN, women and children were among the victims of the October 7 attack on Israel by Hamas. In 2024, they are more than half of the victims of Israel's invasion of Gaza. The healthcare system in Gaza is on the brink, with survivors of gender-based violence, pregnant women, and others in desperate need with nowhere to turn, Patten pointed out. These reports of sexual violence against women in 2024 show a harsh global reality. Sadly, they are just the visible surface of a far deeper crisis, with many more cases hidden by fear and societal stigma. These incidents show the urgent need to address the root causes and ensure accountability. (With inputs from agencies)

Sexual violence against women in 2024: From Kolkata to Gisele Pelicot rape cases, a year of horrors

Trigger warning: Some readers may find the details of this report disturbing. Discretion is advised.

Almost two months into Hamas militants' unprecedented October 7 attack on Israel, reports and accusations of the use of rape&nbsp;and sexual violence as a tool of war continue to circulate.

Israel has accused Hamas of raping "dozens" of women and some men during day one of the attack — a charge vehemently refuted by the militant group.

Labelling the allegations "unfounded lies", the group said they were part of "Zionist campaigns which promote unfounded lies and allegations to demonise the Palestinian resistance".

<h2>Rape — a weapon of war</h2>

Recently, in a statement, UN Women said it was "alarmed by the numerous accounts of gender-based atrocities" during the attacks on southern Israel.

This comes as Israeli police say they have launched an investigation and are collecting evidence of sexual violence.

Meni Binyamin, the head of the International Crime Investigations Unit of the Israeli police, told The New York Times that they "are investigating sexual crimes against both women and men perpetrated by Hamas terrorists".

Also read |&nbsp;<a data-ved="2ahUKEwivqrHYm_eCAxX_gVYBHeBZA7gQxfQBKAB6BAgREAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/butchered-limbs-mutilated-raped-israeli-forensic-teams-describe-hamas-atrocities-647016" jsname="YKoRaf" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.wionews.com/world/butchered-limbs-mutilated-raped-israeli-forensic-teams-describe-hamas-atrocities-647016&amp;ved=2ahUKEwivqrHYm_eCAxX_gVYBHeBZA7gQxfQBKAB6BAgREAE">'Butchered, limbs mutilated, raped': Israeli forensic teams describe Hamas atrocities</a>

In an interview with the publication, Binyamin claimed, "There were violent rape incidents, the most extreme sexual abuses we have seen, of both women and men. I am talking about dozens."

He said that a team of investigators had gathered "tens of thousands" of testimonies from survivors, witnesses and first responders.&nbsp;

Binyamin also said that they were combing through banks of videos and photos from the Oct 7 Hamas incursion, but refused to divulge details, saying, "This is an ongoing investigation."

However, he said that autopsies, forensic evidence, and confessions also corroborate that sexual crimes were committed by Hamas.

<h2>Dishonour on top of abuse</h2>

Yael Sherer, a spokesperson for Israel-based advocacy group Survivors of Sexual Violence, told BBC Radio 4 that there is evidence of sexual violence against both men and women.

"There was sexual violence and rape in these communities in the south of Israel… we have a few living survivors—not a lot—of both genders. It didn't only happen to women, it happened to men as well," she said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a data-ved="2ahUKEwivqrHYm_eCAxX_gVYBHeBZA7gQxfQBKAB6BAgJEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hamas-terrorists-beheaded-soldiers-and-raped-claims-israeli-pm-benjamin-netanyahu-645801" jsname="YKoRaf" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.wionews.com/world/hamas-terrorists-beheaded-soldiers-and-raped-claims-israeli-pm-benjamin-netanyahu-645801&amp;ved=2ahUKEwivqrHYm_eCAxX_gVYBHeBZA7gQxfQBKAB6BAgJEAE">Hamas terrorists beheaded soldiers and raped women, claims Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu</a>

Sherer alleged that Hamas militants not only sexually violated Israelis but also mutilated their bodies.

"Aside from finding bodies of people who were murdered, a lot of the bodies were mutilated… terrorists made sure to disgrace these people and dishonour them."

<h2>Where's the international condemnation?</h2>

In an opinion piece for Newsweek, Israeli First Lady Michal Herzog expressed her outrage over the international community's failure to condemn the gender-based sexual violence perpetrated by Hamas.

Calling international silence over the crimes a "betrayal of all women," Herzog said, "The silence of international human rights organisations, and the unwillingness to believe Israeli women in the face of overwhelming evidence, has been devastating."&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a data-ved="2ahUKEwivqrHYm_eCAxX_gVYBHeBZA7gQxfQBKAB6BAgOEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/big-bang-theory-star-condemns-global-silence-on-rape-and-torture-of-israeli-women-by-hamas-664512" jsname="YKoRaf" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/big-bang-theory-star-condemns-global-silence-on-rape-and-torture-of-israeli-women-by-hamas-664512&amp;ved=2ahUKEwivqrHYm_eCAxX_gVYBHeBZA7gQxfQBKAB6BAgOEAE">Big Bang Theory star condemns global silence on 'rape and torture' of Israeli women by Hamas</a>

"A Hamas video from a kibbutz shows terrorists torturing a pregnant woman and removing her foetus. Our forensic scientists have found bodies of women and girls raped with such violence that their pelvic bones were broken," said Herzog.

"This evidence, along with the explicit recorded confessions of captured terrorists, makes abundantly clear that mass rape was a premeditated part of Hamas's plan," wrote the first lady.

<h2>UN steps up</h2>

Eight weeks of silence later, the United Nations has launched its own investigation into the sexual violence Hamas is accused of.&nbsp;

In a statement posted on X on Nov 30, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said: "There are numerous accounts of sexual violence during the abhorrent acts of terror by Hamas on 7 October that must be vigorously investigated and prosecuted."

"Gender-based violence must be condemned. Anytime. Anywhere," he added.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
There are numerous accounts of sexual violence during the abhorrent acts of terror by Hamas on 7 October that must be vigorously investigated and prosecuted. 
 
Gender-based violence must be condemned. Anytime. Anywhere.
— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) <a href="https://twitter.com/antonioguterres/status/1729983825965703363?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 29, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Drawing attention to the delayed response,&nbsp;Israel's ambassador to the United Nations, Gilad Erdan, on X said, "In every other massacre in which such heinous sexual crimes were committed," the UN Women had "issued an immediate and harsh condemnation."

"But when Israeli women are the victims," these organisations, he said, cast "doubt on the allegations".

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
It took 2 months (!) for UNWOMEN to remember to loosely condemn Hamas’ sexual violence on October 7th. In every other massacre in which such heinous sexual crimes were committed, UNWOMEN issued an immediate and harsh condemnation. But when Israeli women are the victims, UNWOMEN… <a href="https://t.co/AzgGlvf9E9">pic.twitter.com/AzgGlvf9E9</a>
— Ambassador Gilad Erdan גלעד ארדן (@giladerdan1) <a href="https://twitter.com/giladerdan1/status/1730958469090410689?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 2, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<h2>Witness testimonies reveal ghastly narratives</h2>

In the days since the Hamas attack, horrifying, ghastly witness testimonies of unprecedented sexual abuse, including that of a woman begging to be killed as she was gang-raped, have emerged.&nbsp;

Talking to UK's Sunday Times, Yoni Saadon, a reveller at the Nova Music Festival, recounted tales of horror from October 7.

"I saw this beautiful woman with the face of an angel and eight or 10 of the fighters beating and raping her," he recalled.

"She was screaming, 'Stop it already! I'm going to die anyway from what you are doing, just kill me!'

"When they finished, they were laughing, and the last one shot her in the head," said the 39-year-old.

Giving an account of how he survived the massacre, Saadon, the father of four, revealed that he had smeared himself with the blood of a slain woman to look dead.

"I will never forget her face," he said, talking about his saviour, who had been shot in the head by the attacking militants.

"Every night I wake to it and apologise to her, saying, 'I'm sorry.'"

He also claims to have witnessed the beheading of a young woman who had fought back as Hamas stripped her.

"They threw her to the ground, and one of the terrorists took a shovel and beheaded her," he told The Sunday Times, adding, "And her head rolled along the ground. I see that head, too."

(With inputs from agencies)

Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments on the Israel-Palestine conflict after the Hamas attacks. However, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos, and videos.

Trigger warning: Some readers may find the details of this report disturbing. Discretion is advised. Almost two months into Hamas militants' unprecedented October 7 attack on Israel, reports and accusations of the use of rape and sexual violence as a tool of war continue to circulate.

Trigger warning: Some readers may find the details of this report disturbing. Discretion is advised. Almost two months into Hamas militants' unprecedented October 7 attack on Israel, reports and accusations of the use of rape and sexual violence as a tool of war continue to circulate. Israel has accused Hamas of raping "dozens" of women and some men during day one of the attack — a charge vehemently refuted by the militant group. Labelling the allegations "unfounded lies", the group said they were part of "Zionist campaigns which promote unfounded lies and allegations to demonise the Palestinian resistance". Rape — a weapon of war Recently, in a statement, UN Women said it was "alarmed by the numerous accounts of gender-based atrocities" during the attacks on southern Israel. This comes as Israeli police say they have launched an investigation and are collecting evidence of sexual violence. Meni Binyamin, the head of the International Crime Investigations Unit of the Israeli police, told The New York Times that they "are investigating sexual crimes against both women and men perpetrated by Hamas terrorists". Also read | 'Butchered, limbs mutilated, raped': Israeli forensic teams describe Hamas atrocities In an interview with the publication, Binyamin claimed, "There were violent rape incidents, the most extreme sexual abuses we have seen, of both women and men. I am talking about dozens." He said that a team of investigators had gathered "tens of thousands" of testimonies from survivors, witnesses and first responders. Binyamin also said that they were combing through banks of videos and photos from the Oct 7 Hamas incursion, but refused to divulge details, saying, "This is an ongoing investigation." However, he said that autopsies, forensic evidence, and confessions also corroborate that sexual crimes were committed by Hamas. Dishonour on top of abuse Yael Sherer, a spokesperson for Israel-based advocacy group Survivors of Sexual Violence, told BBC Radio 4 that there is evidence of sexual violence against both men and women. "There was sexual violence and rape in these communities in the south of Israel… we have a few living survivors—not a lot—of both genders. It didn't only happen to women, it happened to men as well," she said. Also read | Hamas terrorists beheaded soldiers and raped women, claims Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu Sherer alleged that Hamas militants not only sexually violated Israelis but also mutilated their bodies. "Aside from finding bodies of people who were murdered, a lot of the bodies were mutilated… terrorists made sure to disgrace these people and dishonour them." Where's the international condemnation? In an opinion piece for Newsweek, Israeli First Lady Michal Herzog expressed her outrage over the international community's failure to condemn the gender-based sexual violence perpetrated by Hamas. Calling international silence over the crimes a "betrayal of all women," Herzog said, "The silence of international human rights organisations, and the unwillingness to believe Israeli women in the face of overwhelming evidence, has been devastating." Also read | Big Bang Theory star condemns global silence on 'rape and torture' of Israeli women by Hamas "A Hamas video from a kibbutz shows terrorists torturing a pregnant woman and removing her foetus. Our forensic scientists have found bodies of women and girls raped with such violence that their pelvic bones were broken," said Herzog. "This evidence, along with the explicit recorded confessions of captured terrorists, makes abundantly clear that mass rape was a premeditated part of Hamas's plan," wrote the first lady. UN steps up Eight weeks of silence later, the United Nations has launched its own investigation into the sexual violence Hamas is accused of. In a statement posted on X on Nov 30, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said: "There are numerous accounts of sexual violence during the abhorrent acts of terror by Hamas on 7 October that must be vigorously investigated and prosecuted." "Gender-based violence must be condemned. Anytime. Anywhere," he added. There are numerous accounts of sexual violence during the abhorrent acts of terror by Hamas on 7 October that must be vigorously investigated and prosecuted. Gender-based violence must be condemned. Anytime. Anywhere. — António Guterres (@antonioguterres) November 29, 2023 × Drawing attention to the delayed response, Israel's ambassador to the United Nations, Gilad Erdan, on X said, "In every other massacre in which such heinous sexual crimes were committed," the UN Women had "issued an immediate and harsh condemnation." "But when Israeli women are the victims," these organisations, he said, cast "doubt on the allegations". It took 2 months (!) for UNWOMEN to remember to loosely condemn Hamas’ sexual violence on October 7th. In every other massacre in which such heinous sexual crimes were committed, UNWOMEN issued an immediate and harsh condemnation. But when Israeli women are the victims, UNWOMEN… pic.twitter.com/AzgGlvf9E9 — Ambassador Gilad Erdan גלעד ארדן (@giladerdan1) December 2, 2023 × Witness testimonies reveal ghastly narratives In the days since the Hamas attack, horrifying, ghastly witness testimonies of unprecedented sexual abuse, including that of a woman begging to be killed as she was gang-raped, have emerged. Talking to UK's Sunday Times, Yoni Saadon, a reveller at the Nova Music Festival, recounted tales of horror from October 7. "I saw this beautiful woman with the face of an angel and eight or 10 of the fighters beating and raping her," he recalled. "She was screaming, 'Stop it already! I'm going to die anyway from what you are doing, just kill me!' "When they finished, they were laughing, and the last one shot her in the head," said the 39-year-old. Giving an account of how he survived the massacre, Saadon, the father of four, revealed that he had smeared himself with the blood of a slain woman to look dead. "I will never forget her face," he said, talking about his saviour, who had been shot in the head by the attacking militants. "Every night I wake to it and apologise to her, saying, 'I'm sorry.'" He also claims to have witnessed the beheading of a young woman who had fought back as Hamas stripped her. "They threw her to the ground, and one of the terrorists took a shovel and beheaded her," he told The Sunday Times, adding, "And her head rolled along the ground. I see that head, too." (With inputs from agencies) Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments on the Israel-Palestine conflict after the Hamas attacks. However, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos, and videos.

Explained: 'Broken pelvises, mutilated bodies'...Did Hamas use rape as weapon of war in Israel?

sexual-violence-in-war

Sexual Violence In War, News on Sexual Violence In War, stories on Sexual Violence In War, articles on Sexual Violence In War, Sexual Violence In War stories at Wion, Sexual Violence In War news, Sexual Violence In War latest news

sexual violence-in-war

Sexual violence against women in 2024: From Kolkata to Gisele Pelicot rape cases, a year of horrors

Explained: 'Broken pelvises, mutilated bodies'...Did Hamas use rape as weapon of war in Israel?