Dominic Pelicot, a 71-year-old French man, admitted in court on Sep. 10 to drugging his wife and inviting 72 men to rape her over a decade. Tearfully pleading guilty, Pelicot expressed regret and sought forgiveness from his 72-year-old ex-wife, Gisele, stating, “She didn’t deserve this, I recognise that.” He attributed his actions to a sexual addiction, despite claiming he had “nothing but love” for her. The case, made public at Gisele’s insistence, has shocked France.
Background
The trial has drawn significant attention due to the horrific nature of the crimes and the number of men involved. Pelicot’s actions came to light after Gisele, who had been married to him for over 50 years, decided to make the case public. The couple’s home in Mazan became the site of repeated assaults, with Pelicot orchestrating the events while Gisele was unconscious. The case has highlighted issues of sexual violence and abuse, sparking widespread outrage and calls for justice.
“I am a rapist”
A total of 51 men who participated in the assaults also stood trial. Pelicot admitted, “Today I maintain that I am a rapist, like those in this room.” The men, aged between 26 and 74, included truck drivers, military personnel, a nurse, an IT specialist, and a journalist. Some admitted guilt, while others claimed they believed they were part of a consensual threesome. Pelicot refuted these claims, stating, “They all knew her condition before they came; they knew everything. They cannot say otherwise.” If convicted, most face up to 20 years in jail for aggravated rape.
Childhood trauma
Pelicot attributed his “perversion” to childhood trauma, revealing that he was sexually assaulted by a nurse at age nine and forced to watch a gang rape as a teenager. “I’m not looking for excuses, but these are the facts,” he said. These traumatic experiences, he claimed, contributed to his later actions.
Never touched his daughter
Naked photomontages of Pelicot and Gisele’s daughter were found on his computer. Pelicot denied taking the photographs or that they were of his daughter. His daughter, however, accused him of lying. “I don’t know how to tell you, I never touched my daughter,” Pelicot insisted.
Part pleasure, part insurance
Police discovered over 20,000 videos and photos of the assaults on Pelicot’s personal devices, many sorted into a folder titled “abuse.” The tapes documented 92 rapes by 72 men. When questioned about the recordings, Pelicot explained, “Part pleasure but also, part insurance. Because of that, we could find all those who participated.”
“I had total trust in this man”
Gisele described Pelicot as the love of her life, recounting their marriage of over 50 years and their three children and seven grandchildren. She has since divorced him and given up his surname. Gisele found it difficult to hear her husband’s confessions, stating she “could never have imagined for a single second” that he could commit such acts. Despite being entitled to anonymity, Gisele chose to make the case public to help other victims of drugging and abuse. She has become a feminist icon and an inspirational figure for sexual assault survivors in France. “Look around you,” she said to victims of sexual violence. “You are not alone.”
Future implications
The case has prompted discussions on the need for stricter laws and better support systems for victims of sexual violence in France. Gisele’s bravery in coming forward has inspired many, and her story continues to resonate with survivors. The trial’s outcome could set a precedent for how similar cases are handled in the future, potentially leading to more robust legal protections and societal awareness regarding sexual abuse and consent.
