French woman testifies against husband in decade-long rape trial
Woman hopes testimony in open court aids other sexual crime victims
A French woman is currently facing her husband in court, who stands accused of drugging her into unconsciousness for nearly ten years and allowing numerous men to rape her in their home.
The 72-year-old victim, Gisele Pelicot, waived her right to anonymity. She appeared in an open court on Monday with her three children to witness her 71-year-old husband, Dominique Pelicot, on trial in Avignon, southern France.
Gisele hopes her public testimony will help prevent other women from enduring similar horrors. She insisted on an open court trial to support other victims of sexual crimes whose stories often remain untold.
The case has unfolded with distressing allegations. Reports indicate that Dominique used an online forum to invite men to their home and filmed them assaulting his wife from 2011 to 2020. The website used for arranging these acts has been shut down.
The men had to follow specific rules, such as not talking loudly, undressing in the kitchen, and avoiding perfume or tobacco to leave no trace and not wake Gisele.
Gisele discovered the alleged rapes after her husband was caught photographing women’s crotches in a supermarket in late 2020. This led police to search his devices, uncovering thousands of images of the assaults.
After police showed Gisele some of the images, she left her husband. She expressed gratitude to the lieutenant in Carpentras who arrested Dominique, stating, “He saved my life and I probably wouldn’t be here without him.”
Over two years, police identified most of the 72 suspects from the videos and images. The alleged rapists, aged between 21 and 68, had various professional backgrounds.
Reports also state that Dominique not only filmed but participated in the rapes and encouraged men to use degrading language toward his wife. These men will also face trial.
Dominique’s lawyer mentioned his client had always admitted guilt, while several other defendants deny the accusations, claiming manipulation by Dominique. They face up to 20 years in prison if found guilty of aggravated rape.
Gisele and Dominique had been married for 50 years and have three children. Gisele told the court her daughter “screamed like a wild beast” upon hearing the allegations.
“I will never forget this,” she said. “My sons were withdrawn and didn’t react much. I think they were in shock. They said don’t say such silly things.”
“I was sacrificed on the altar of vice,” she testified, describing being treated like a rag doll. “I no longer have an identity. I don’t know if I’ll ever rebuild myself.”
“For me, everything collapses. These are scenes of barbarity, of rape.”
The trial continues and is expected to run until December.
What Other Media Are Saying
- The Guardian reports on the trial of Dominique Pélicot, 71, and 50 other men accused of raping Gisèle Pélicot, the former wife of Dominique, who was drugged and abused by her husband for nearly a decade. (read more)
- The Associated Press reports on the trial of Dominique Pélicot, accused of inviting men to rape his wife, Gisèle Pélicot, while she was drugged and unconscious, with 50 other men facing similar charges and potential sentences of up to 20 years in prison. (read more)
- CNN reports on a French man accused of drugging and repeatedly raping his wife, while recruiting 72 men to assault her. (read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
Who is the victim in the French sexual assault case?
The victim is 72-year-old Gisele Pelicot.
How did Gisele Pelicot discover the assaults?
Police found images on Dominique’s devices after he was caught taking inappropriate photos in a supermarket.
What actions did Gisele Pelicot take after learning about the assaults?
Gisele left her husband and pushed for an open court trial.
What are the alleged perpetrators facing if convicted?
They face up to 20 years in prison if convicted of aggravated rape.
How long is the trial expected to last?
The trial is expected to last until December.
