In a shocking mass rape trial in Avignon, France, Gisèle Pelicot has courageously denounced the case involving 51 men as a “trial of cowardice” and called for changes in France’s “macho, patriarchal society” that trivializes rape.
Her ex-husband, Dominique Pelicot, has admitted to recruiting dozens of men online to rape her while she was drugged and unconscious over nearly a decade. The case has attracted global attention, highlighting issues of drug-induced sexual assault and raising questions about consent in French legal definitions of rape.
During the dramatic court proceedings, Pelicot waived her right to anonymity, ensuring the trial would be fully public. About 15 defendants sat in the dock, with a handful admitting to raping her, while the majority denied the charges.
A particularly intense moment occurred when Dominique Pelicot’s daughter Caroline confronted him about inappropriate images found on his laptop. She shouted across the courtroom, “You are lying; I am sick of your lies, you’re alone in your lie, you will die lying.” Dominique responded by claiming he never touched her, leaving the courtroom in tense silence.
One of the last defendants, Philippe L, claimed he was “surprised” by the situation and admitted to “thinking with my penis instead of my brain” when he was invited into the home and instructed to rape Pelicot.
Pelicot herself was resolute, stating that all the men “came to rape me” and challenging them to explain when they believed they had consent. She emphasized her desire for her grandchildren to be proud of carrying the Pelicot name, declaring, “Today we will remember Gisèle Pelicot.”
The trial took a heated turn when defense lawyer Nadia El-Bouroumi questioned Pelicot aggressively, suggesting she was still under her ex-husband’s control. Her combative tone shocked many in the courtroom, with people gasping and shaking their heads in disbelief.
Pelicot spoke about the devastating impact of the decade-long abuse, revealing she thought she would “either die or end up in a mental hospital.” She described losing 10 years of her life due to medical complications from being unknowingly drugged.
The case originated when Dominique Pelicot was caught filming under women’s skirts, which led police to discover thousands of videos documenting men sexually assaulting his unconscious wife between 2011 and 2020.
The trial, which began in September, is set to conclude next month, with a verdict expected in the second half of December. Throughout the proceedings, Pelicot has remained a powerful and dignified witness, challenging societal attitudes towards sexual assault and consent.
Her unwavering stance and decision to make the trial public have drawn international attention to the case, potentially sparking important conversations about sexual violence and victim rights.
