Gisèle Pelicot‘s Story
Gisèle Pelicot is a 71-year-old woman who suffered serious abuse orchestrated by her ex-husband, Dominique Pelicot. He drugged her for years and allowed numerous men to rape her while she was unconscious. This abuse began in November 2020 and continued for a decade. Dominique was caught filming under women’s skirts, which led police to discover the extent of his crimes.
Gisèle has attended almost all of her ex-husband’s trial, where she bravely testified about her experiences. She waived her right to anonymity. The evidence in court included videos showing her being abused, which she described as being treated like “a rag doll” or “a garbage bag.”
Family Impact
The trauma from Dominique’s actions has affected the entire Pelicot family. His daughter, Caroline Darian, accused him in court of abusing her as well, revealing that pictures of her semi-naked body were found among his belongings. Caroline expressed her feelings of being neglected and insisted she is the trial’s “forgotten victim.”
Caroline’s brothers, David and Florian, also spoke in court, urging Dominique to admit to his crimes. Florian revealed his suspicion that he might not be his father’s biological child. Both brothers shared their pain over the family’s shattered trust and lives.
Dominique Pelicot’s Denial
Dominique Pelicot has made various denials about the accusations against him. He claimed he never abused Caroline, but his lies were exposed in court. His daughter called him a liar and expressed disdain for his deceitful behavior. Caroline has since established a charity to address drug-induced assault and described the chaotic environment her family faces due to their father’s actions.
Ongoing Trauma
David, the eldest child, shared the emotional toll of the family’s situation. He described feeling lost and pointed out that his childhood memories were tainted by the revelations. The family faces uncertainty about the hidden truths that might remain about Dominique’s behavior.
A verdict is expected on December 20, with Dominique facing a maximum of 20 years in jail for his crimes. The effects of his actions linger, leaving the family to grapple with their trauma and the unknown. Each family member faces a unique battle to heal, as they work through the scars left behind by their father’s betrayals.
