A French woman who insisted on a public trial for her ex-husband and 50 other men accused of raping her whilst drugged has told a court in southern France she was driven by a desire to challenge societal attitudes towards sexual assault.
Gisèle Pelicot, 72, a former logistics manager, told the Avignon court she was “totally destroyed” by the attacks in which her then-husband, Dominique Pelicot, 71, sedated her and invited men to rape her over nine years.
The assaults occurred between 2011 and 2020 in the Provençal village of Mazan, where Dominique Pelicot would crush sleeping tablets and anti-anxiety medication into her food and drink.
“It’s not bravery, it’s will and determination to change society,” Pelicot told the court, addressing perceptions of her decision to pursue a public trial.
Dominique Pelicot has admitted to arranging the assaults via an online chatroom called “without her knowledge”, where he coordinated with strangers to rape his unconscious wife.
He administered drugs in her meals and desserts, including bowls of ice cream brought to her while watching television.
The court heard that Gisele Pelicot had sought medical attention for unexplained health issues, consulting neurologists and gynaecologists, with her husband accompanying her to appointments.
She had feared developing Alzheimer’s disease due to her symptoms.
Police identified 50 men from meticulously catalogued films stored by Dominique Pelicot.
Of these, 49 face rape charges, one attempted rape and one sexual assault.
Five defendants face additional charges of possessing child abuse imagery.
The accused, aged 26 to 74, include a nurse, journalist, prison officer, local councillor, soldier, multiple lorry drivers and farm workers.
Most defendants have denied the rape charges, with some claiming they believed Gisele Pelicot was pretending to be asleep or that her husband’s consent was sufficient.
If convicted, the defendants could face up to 20 years’ imprisonment. The trial is expected to conclude on December 20.
