French rapist Dominique Pelicot, 72, sentenced to 20 years in prison for drugging and raping his wife

Dominique Pelicot , 72 , drugged and raped his wife, Gisèle , for close to a decade , starting in 2011 .

He was caught after police nabbed him for taking up-skirt photos of women in public.

This week he was sentenced to 20 years in prison.

Historian Sara McDougall was in Avignon this week to watch the verdict be declared.

The trial of Gisèle Pelicot was held in a medieval courtroom in France .

She was treated like a rock star and dominated proceedings with dignity and grace.

The trial helped change France 's rape law into something much broader, making it easier to prove.

There are more rape victims in France who are not exercising their right to remain anonymous.

There seems to be an uptick in people calling for help, making accusations, and the public reaction to this has changed as well.

Listening, it was so beautiful to hear how passionate and hopeful these young people were. I love to see it. Listening to hear them were.