CW: sexual violence
Gisèle Pelicot, a 71-year-old French woman living in the small town of Mazan in the South of France, discovered in November 2020 that her husband, Dominique Pelicot, had been caught upskirting women at a local supermarket. This led to the police engaging in an investigation, confiscating Mr Pelicot’s computer among other devices. Upon further examination, they had found that Dominique had been documenting the non-consensual abuse of his wife’s sedated body since July 2011. This abuse involved himself as well as over 80 other male strangers that he had personally enlisted to sexually assault his wife whilst she was unconscious.
So far investigators have managed to identify 51 of the suspects, including Dominique, all within the ages of 26 and 74. Gisèle recognised only one of her alleged rapists, apart from her husband. She knew him as the man who had visited her home to discuss cycling with her husband and as someone she would greet at the local bakery.
In court, the men often wear masks as well as other forms of face coverings in an attempt maintain some form of anonymity. Contrary, Gisèle has courageously waived her right to anonymity to raise awareness about the dangers of chemical submission (being drugged and sexually attacked). Due to this commendable decision, she is now recognised as a hero for many women who have also been subjected to sexual violence and abuse.
Caroline Darian, her 45-year-old daughter, has recently been presented with evidence that her father also took explicit photographs of her without her consent. She also suspects that she may have been drugged during that time. Both Caroline and Gisèle have become activists on the issue of chemical submission, highlighting how it is often under-reported and under-investigated. In fact, in 2023, Caroline released a book called “et j’ai cessé de t’appeler papa” (and I stopped calling you dad), recounting what had happened to her mother as well as highlighting this particular facet of violence against women.
Moreover, during the decade of abuse, Gisèle endured STDs contracted from men she had never encountered, severe memory and concentration issues caused by the non-consensual administration of sleeping pills, and even a loss of control in her arm. After expressing her concerns to her husband about the possibility of early-onset Alzheimer's, Dominique seized the opportunity to arrange a consultation with a specialist, gaslighting her into believing that her health issues stemmed from internal factors rather than his own actions. Nevertheless, the specialist confirmed that she did not have Alzheimer's.
The court case has been postponed because Dominique was admitted to the hospital due to abdominal pain. On Tuesday17th September Dominque admitted to drugging Gisèle over nearly a decade and inviting dozens of strangers to rape her, stating bluntly, "I am a rapist, like the others in this room." Pelicot expressed remorse, asking for forgiveness from his family, saying, "She did not deserve this" and "I ruined everything.". Earlier in his testimony Dominique explained how he was abused by a nurse when he was nine-years-old, and when asked about his marriage that he ‘considered suicide when he found out she was having an affair’. He also stated that he “became perverted” when in 2010, a male nurse he met on the internet suggested he sedate his wife, explained how to administer the drugs and shared photos of women with him. He also revealed that he kept the videos of the 50 men accused of raping Gisèle for “insurance” and “pleasure”. Despite statements to the contrary by some of the other 50 accused, Dominique claimed he never manipulated them into raping his wife and that they “knew” what they were doing.
Given an opportunity to respond Gisèle stated that it was ‘difficult’ for her to hear these things as for ’50 years [she] lived with a man who I would’ve never imagined could be capable of this. [She} trusted him completely’.
The trial is expected to continue until December 20th, unless there are other additional delays.
Gisèle’s case underscores the incessant need for men to hold one another accountable and exposes a deeper, systemic issue: many men fail to recognise sexual abuse as a violation of fundamental human rights. There were multiple moments over the past decade where the men invited by Dominique could have reconsidered their actions upon seeing Gisèle's unconscious body or even alerted the police. But they didn’t and neither did he.
REMEMBER: No one can give consent on your behalf!
L.Webb
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GINA: Immediate, no waitlist, specialist sexual violence and abuse counselling. For support from GINA call 0121 643 0301 and ask for “GINA”.
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