Gisèle Pélicot, a 72-year-old French woman, testified in court about the alleged abuse she suffered at the hands of her ex-husband and over 50 other men. Her ex-husband, Dominique Pélicot, allegedly drugged and raped her after inviting men to participate in her abuse online. He also filmed the acts, which led to his arrest and the arrest of dozens of others on charges of aggravated rape after a two-year investigation. Dominique allegedly recruited at least 72 men to assault Gisèle from 2011 to 2020, with 50 of them being tracked down by police before the trial.
In 2020, Dominique came to the police’s attention after being caught taking inappropriate photos of women at a supermarket. This led to the discovery of thousands of photos and videos on his devices showing the alleged assaults on Gisèle. Gisèle expressed her pain and shock at the situation, stating that she has so much to say but doesn’t know where to begin. The couple had been married for 50 years until Gisèle learned the extent of the abuse she had allegedly endured. They share three children.
Gisèle’s attorneys argued that she was heavily drugged with a combination of medications that caused unconsciousness, making her unaware of the alleged rapes occurring over nearly a decade in her own home. She chose to waive her legal right to a closed trial in the hopes that her public testimony might help other survivors of similar sexual crimes. A toxicologist testified that Gisèle was given a cocktail of medications, including Temesta and Zolpidem, which can cause unconsciousness, leading to memory gaps during the years of alleged abuse.
Dominique Pélicot had specific rules for the alleged rapists, such as no scents, thorough hand-washing, and removing their clothing before entering Gisèle’s bedroom. Gisèle contracted multiple sexually transmitted infections during the abuses, with some of the alleged rapists being forced to not use condoms, including one who was allegedly HIV-positive. Gisèle described feeling like she was sacrificed on the altar of vice and dehumanized by the men who abused her.
Some of the defendants in the trial, aged 22 to 70, claimed they were manipulated by Dominique Pélicot into participating in the abuse. Gisèle testified that they followed the protocols imposed by her ex-husband and raped her consciously, questioning why they didn’t seek help or go to the police. The trial, which began Monday, is expected to last for four months, and if found guilty, each defendant faces up to 20 years in prison. Gisèle expressed her determination to fight until the end for justice.
The case has shocked France and sparked discussions about consent, manipulation, and the legal responsibilities of those who witness or learn about abuse but fail to intervene. Gisèle’s bravery in testifying publicly, despite the painful memories and trauma she has endured, has shed light on the atrocities she allegedly faced and has brought attention to the need for support and protection for survivors of sexual violence. The trial will continue to unfold as the defendants face the consequences of their actions, and Gisèle remains steadfast in her quest for justice and closure.
