AVIGNON, France — This week, a highly awaited decision is imminent in a significant trial concerning drugging and rape, in which the victim, Gisèle Pelicot, has emerged as a symbol of feminist resilience. The proceedings, held in the southern French city of Avignon, have captured nationwide attention, largely due to Pelicot’s remarkable courage displayed over the past three months during the harrowing testimonies, which included harrowing excerpts from the disturbing archives of her ex-husband’s abusive acts.
Dominique Pelicot meticulously documented how he routinely drugged his wife over a decade-long period, enabling him and a number of men he met online to assault her while she was incapacitated. Shockingly, he managed to recruit numerous alleged co-conspirators, many of whom were family men from varied backgrounds—the youngest in their 20s and some in their 70s. In total, there are 50 men, alongside Dominique Pelicot, facing charges of aggravated rape and attempted rape, while another individual is on trial for aggravated sexual assault.
During her testimony, Gisèle Pelicot recounted her dehumanizing experiences, stating, “They regarded me like a rag doll, like a garbage bag.” The complexity of the case demanded extensive deliberation, compelling both Dominique and Gisèle Pelicot to celebrate their 72nd birthdays during the trial’s course.
The verdicts are anticipated to be announced by Thursday or Friday at the latest, with the five judges making their decisions via a confidential ballot. Advocates against sexual violence are optimistic about receiving stringent prison sentences, viewing this trial as a pivotal moment in combating both rape culture and the drugging of victims.
Protests have emerged alongside the trial, with demonstrators showcasing pop-art representations of Gisèle Pelicot, adorned with her distinctive bob haircut and sunglasses. Slogans like, “Shame is changing sides” and “Gisèle, we believe you!” resonated through the crowds, as they jeered at the defendants entering the courthouse, chanting, “We recognize you” and “Shame.”
The genesis of this case lies in Dominique Pelicot’s alarming cataloging of his offenses. Authorities discovered a staggering collection of over 20,000 photos and videos on his devices, organized in folders titled “abuse,” “her rapists,” and “night alone,” which provided law enforcement with substantial evidence that is often elusive in cases of sexual violence. Gisèle Pelicot and her legal team successfully advocated for the admission of shocking video evidence in court, firmly establishing that she demonstrated no consent during the alleged attacks, countering some defendants’ attempts to assert her supposed passive or willing participation.
Displaying remarkable bravery in standing against a multitude of men, Gisèle Pelicot became a beacon of hope for many, as supporters—predominantly women—gathered outside the courthouse daily to express their solidarity and appreciation as she entered or exited, maintaining her grace, humility, and awareness of her fight’s wider implications. Pelicot expressed her motivation, saying she was advocating for “all those people around the world, women and men, who are victims of sexual violence.” Her powerful message to victims is clear: “Look around you: You are not alone.”
In the course of the trial, Dominique Pelicot admitted to using tranquilizers to incapacitate his wife through food and drink, rendering her unconscious for extended periods. His medical records indicated prescriptions for hundreds of tranquilizer pills and the erectile dysfunction medication, Viagra. He confessed to having begun drugging his wife in 2011, before their relocation to Mazan, a tranquil Provencal town, where he would invite other men to assault her within their home.
Investigators uncovered 72 distinct perpetrators among the recorded incidents, although not all were identified. Dominique Pelicot also admitted to sharing techniques for drugging individuals and supplied drugs to others. Gisèle Pelicot reported that she began experiencing increasing blackouts after their move to Mazan in 2013, although these episodes ceased following her ex-husband’s arrest in 2020.
In response to the trial, the French government recently initiated a media campaign raising awareness about the perils of chemical submission, presenting a hotline for victims. Posters for the campaign state: “Chemical submission takes away your memories but leaves traces.”
The courtroom proceedings have prompted broader discussions in France surrounding consent verification in the definition of rape. While some accused men—including Dominique Pelicot—admitted guilt, several insisted that they did not believe they were committing rape, despite the evidence presented. Some contended that Dominique’s consent encompassed his wife’s, while others attempted to shift blame toward him, claiming they were misled into thinking their interactions were consensual. Campaigners vehemently rejected such defenses, with affirmations like, “A rape is a rape” displayed prominently at protests.
Prosecutor Laure Chabaud urged the judges to pass down a verdict underscoring that “ordinary rape doesn’t exist, that accidental or involuntary rape doesn’t exist,” reinforcing the court’s role in setting a clear precedent.
The unraveling of what Gisèle Pelicot once described as a blissful marriage began in September 2020 when a supermarket security personnel caught Dominique filming upskirt without consent. Upon being summoned for questioning by police, Gisèle faced an unimaginable revelation—horrifying images of herself taken by her husband. She left him with merely two suitcases, signifying the remnants of a 50-year life together.
Prosecutors have called for the harshest possible sentences, proposing a 20-year term for Dominique Pelicot and 10-18 year sentences for his co-defendants. Chabaud remarked, “Twenty years between the four walls of a prison. It’s both a lot and not enough.”