The trial of 71-year-old Dominique Pélicot has horrified France and the world, revealing not only the brutal, decade-long abuse of his wife but also how an illicit chat platform, Coco, enabled these crimes. As Pélicot stands accused of orchestrating rapes involving over 50 men, the trial has sparked a nationwide reckoning over the dark corners of the internet, sexual violence, and the hidden lives of seemingly respectable men.
Shocking Betrayal
Dominique Pélicot is charged with repeatedly drugging his wife, Gisèle, over a decade and facilitating her rape by dozens of men without her knowledge. Using anti-anxiety medication and sleeping pills, Pélicot rendered her unconscious and invited men he met online to assault her. While some of these men claim they believed Gisèle was a consenting participant, investigations revealed that Pélicot explicitly referred to “rape” and drugging his wife in communications with his accomplices. Gisèle, unaware of the horrors she endured, only discovered the truth after Pélicot’s arrest in 2020 for attempting to film women secretly in public.
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Despite the overwhelming trauma, Gisèle has shown extraordinary bravery by insisting on a public trial. Her decision, aimed at exposing the truth and confronting her attackers, has made her a symbol of resilience and inspired public support across France. The trial is expected to run until December, but the impact of the Pélicot case will be felt for years to come.
Coco: A Platform for Abuse
Central to the case is Coco, an online platform that Pélicot used to recruit men to assault his wife. Founded in 2003, Coco operated as an unmoderated chat forum where users could communicate anonymously, with minimal restrictions on content. It became a hub for illicit activities, including child exploitation, homophobic attacks, and in this case, the horrific abuse of Gisèle.
Authorities believe Coco enabled Pélicot’s crimes by providing him with a network of willing participants. The platform hosted forums where users fantasized about non-consensual acts, and Pélicot allegedly used a forum called “à son insu” (“without her knowledge”) to find accomplices. Investigators have emphasized that Coco’s lack of moderation allowed these illegal activities to flourish for years, making it a symbol of how dangerous the unregulated online space can be.
International Crackdown on Coco
Coco’s complicity in numerous crimes, including murders and assaults, eventually led to an international crackdown on the platform in 2023. For years, the platform evaded justice, moving its servers across borders and exploiting legal loopholes. However, following an 18-month investigation involving several European countries, French authorities finally shut down Coco in June 2024.
The closure was made possible by a new French law, “délit d’administration de plateforme,” which holds platform administrators accountable for illegal activities facilitated by their sites. This law has allowed prosecutors to pursue Coco’s founder, Isaac Steidl, who was arrested in Bulgaria along with three associates. The platform’s shutdown has been celebrated by child protection and LGBTQ+ rights groups, but concerns remain that similar sites may emerge to fill the void.
Public Outcry and Demonstrations
The trial has spurred widespread outrage and solidarity, with demonstrations erupting across France. In cities like Paris and Lyon, women and men marched in support of Gisèle and to demand stronger action against sexual violence. Placards reading “Shame must change sides” and “We are all Gisèle” highlighted the anger many feel toward a justice system they view as too lenient on sexual crimes.
Protesters, inspired by Gisèle’s courage, have called for greater accountability, both for individuals like Pélicot and the platforms that enable such crimes. The case has forced French society to confront uncomfortable truths about sexual violence, with many now asking how such acts could remain hidden for so long, and how the internet has become a breeding ground for abuse.
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As the trial continues, France is grappling with the far-reaching implications of the case. Gisèle’s bravery in exposing these crimes has led to an unprecedented public discussion about sexual assault, online abuse, and the double lives people can lead on the internet. The outcome of the trial will not only determine the fate of the men involved but could also set a precedent for holding online platforms accountable for the harm they enable.
