Displaying items by tag: Gisèle Pélicot

Dominique Pélicot, 71, has admitted in court to repeatedly drugging and facilitating the rape of his wife Gisèle for nearly a decade. In a case that has shaken France, he confessed his role in the assaults, which involved fifty men who are also on trial. His wife, who divorced him following his arrest in 2020, has become a symbol of resilience for rape survivors in France for being willing to waive her anonymity in the case, and to appear openly in front of the media. Pélicot's confession is pivotal for the trial’s outcome, as many co-defendants claim they were unaware or manipulated into participating. He has said that childhood sexual abuse and family trauma led him down this path, and expressed regret for his actions. In contrast, Gisèle told the court she felt utterly betrayed after fifty years of marriage. The trial has drawn public attention to the horrors of domestic sexual violence and the importance of justice for victims.