Source-nytimes.com
Gisèle Pelicot, a 71-year-old French woman, faced an unimaginable horror when police informed her that her husband of many decades had been drugging her for years, bringing strangers into their home to join him in raping her. Despite the distressing nature of the accusations, Gisèle remained composed as she entered a packed courtroom on Thursday, her face expressionless beneath sunglasses, with her adult children following close behind.
Taking the stand, Gisèle Pelicot recounted the harrowing moment in late 2020 when the police summoned her to a station in southern France. There, they revealed that her husband, whom she had loved and trusted, had been secretly drugging her and facilitating her rape by multiple men while she was unconscious. Gisèle’s life, meticulously built over five decades, had been shattered in an instant.
A Public Trial for Justice
Under French law, Gisèle Pelicot could have opted for a private trial to avoid public scrutiny. However, she chose to let her story be heard by the entire nation, aiming to place the shame on the accused men rather than herself. “So when other women, if they wake up with no memory, they might remember the testimony of Ms. Pelicot,” she testified, her voice calm and steady. “No woman should suffer from being drugged and victimized. We must address this scourge.”
The trial, taking place in Avignon, has shocked France with its appalling details. Dominique Pelicot, Gisèle Pelicot’s former husband, is accused of drugging his wife over a span of nearly a decade and inviting numerous men to their home to assault her. The number of men on trial is so large that a second glass box had to be installed in the courtroom for those in custody. The accused include firemen, soldiers, truck drivers, and an IT expert, ranging in age from 26 to 74. Many of them are in stable relationships and have families.
A Story of Betrayal and Survival
Dominique Pelicot has admitted to all the charges against him, including aggravated rape and drugging. He also faces accusations of violating the privacy of Gisèle, their daughter, and two daughters-in-law by illegally recording and distributing intimate photos of them. If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in prison. According to his lawyer, Béatrice Zavarro, Dominique hopes to use the trial to explain himself to his ex-wife and estranged children.
Throughout her testimony, Gisèle Pelicot maintained a formal tone, referring to her former husband as “Monsieur Pelicot.” She recounted how they had fallen in love at 19, married soon after, and raised three children together. They had weathered various challenges, including illness, financial difficulties, and even a fleeting affair, but had always managed to stay together. She believed they had a strong relationship and considered their sex life to be normal. “I thought we were a strong couple,” she said. “We had everything to be happy.”
After retiring in 2013, the couple relocated from the Paris region to Mazan, a small town in southern France. There, Gisèle began experiencing a mysterious illness, marked by hair loss, weight loss, and, most troublingly, memory lapses. She would often wake up with no recollection of the previous night’s events, including saying goodbye to her children, watching a movie, or even going to bed.
Gisèle Pelicot’s testimony in court was a powerful reminder of the profound betrayal she suffered and the strength it takes to confront such a horrifying reality. Her decision to go public with her story has already resonated across France, shedding light on a hidden crime and giving courage to other victims to come forward.
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