AVIGNON, France — A significant legal decision is set to be announced on Thursday by a five-judge panel regarding more than 50 individuals facing charges related to aggravated rape and sexual assault against Gisèle Pelicot. This case has stirred up the public in France and ignited discussions about sexual violence in the nation over recent months.
Dominique Pelicot, the 72-year-old former spouse of Gisèle, is among those on trial. He has confessed to drugging his wife of five decades, enabling him and several online acquaintances to sexually abuse her while he recorded the acts. The traumatic events Ms. Pelicot endured over many years, masked under the facade of what she believed was a loving relationship, have turned her into a symbol of resilience and courage in the fight against sexual abuse.
The extensive trial, which unfolded over three months, has become a rallying point for activists confronting sexual violence and has prompted demands for stricter laws to combat rape culture in the country. Dominique and 49 other defendants are being charged in the southern French city of Avignon, with potential prison sentences of up to 20 years if found guilty of aggravated rape or attempted rape. Prosecutors are pushing for the harshest sentences possible for the accused, including 10 to 18 years for the remaining individuals, and four years for another who was charged with aggravated sexual assault.
The accusations against these 51 men stem from their participation in Dominique Pelicot’s disturbing fantasies around rape and abuse, which took place in a retirement community in the Provence town of Mazan, among other locations. Dominique Pelicot revealed during the trial that he had been administering tranquilizers through food and drink to incapacitate his wife, allowing him to exploit her for prolonged periods unhindered.
In a striking part of the case, one defendant was charged not for attacking Gisèle Pelicot, but rather for drugging and assaulting his own wife, with Dominique’s involvement. The five judges are conducting their vote in secret, requiring a majority agreement to convict and establish sentencing for those found guilty.
Activists advocating against sexual violence are expressing hope for significant prison sentences in this landmark trial. They see it as a crucial moment in the quest to dismantle rape culture and the abhorrent use of drugs to subdue victims.
This troubling case first came to authorities’ attention in September 2020, when a security officer at a supermarket caught Dominique Pelicot clandestinely recording footage up women’s skirts. Investigators later uncovered a vast collection of disturbing material, including over 20,000 images and videos that chronicled years of abuse directed at his wife. These were meticulously organized in folders labeled with titles like “abuse” and “her rapists.”
The overwhelming evidence led to the identification of other defendants connected to the case. Investigators discovered 72 distinct perpetrators in the videos, though not all could be recognized. While some accused individuals, including Dominique Pelicot, admitted guilt, many others denied the charges, even when confronted with video proof. This trial has spurred broader discussions in France about potentially redefining the legal wording concerning rape to include clear stipulations regarding consent.
Notably, some defendants argued that the consent granted by Dominique extended to his wife, while others contended they were misled into believing they were partaking in consensual activities. Some attempted to shift the blame onto him, claiming they were deceived into participating in what they thought was consensual play.