Gisèle Pelicot’s story is one of unimaginable betrayal, profound suffering, and extraordinary resilience. Born on December 7, 1952, in Villingen, Germany, to a French soldier and his wife, Gisèle’s early years were marked by both loss and adaptation. After her mother’s death from cancer when Gisèle was just nine, her family relocated to France, where she grew up and eventually built her life. In 1971, she met Dominique Pelicot, the man who would become her husband and later her abuser. They married in 1973, raised three children, and seemed to live a normal life. However, behind the façade of marital harmony lay years of abuse that would later shock the world.
A Life of Hidden Abuse
For nearly a decade, from 2011 to 2020, Gisèle was the victim of one of the most heinous crimes in modern French history. Dominique, under the guise of a loving husband, drugged her unconscious with sedatives mixed into her food and drink. While Gisèle lay defenseless, Dominique not only raped her himself but also facilitated her rape by at least 83 other men, whom he contacted through a dark corner of the internet. He used an unmoderated French website, where strangers congregated in forums like “without her knowledge,” specifically designed for facilitating acts of sexual violence.
The abuse occurred in their idyllic home in Mazan, Provence, where the couple had moved after their retirement. While Gisèle joined a local choir and maintained an active social life, Dominique presented himself as a devoted husband. He was deeply integrated into the community, joining a tennis club and cycling with friends. The reality, however, was that Dominique was orchestrating crimes against his wife under the pretense of a serene domestic life.
Gisèle began to notice strange lapses in her memory. She feared she was developing Alzheimer’s or a brain tumor, but medical tests provided no answers. Once, she even confronted Dominique, suspecting he was drugging her, but his denials and her lack of proof left her questioning her own intuition. Dominique’s control over her life continued unchallenged until his arrest in September 2020 for upskirting women in a supermarket, a seemingly minor crime that ultimately unraveled his horrifying double life.
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Discovery of the Crimes
Dominique’s arrest led police to seize his electronic devices. What they found shocked even seasoned investigators: an extensive library of videos documenting Gisèle’s abuse. The footage showed Dominique and dozens of other men raping her while she was unconscious. On November 2, 2020, Gisèle was summoned to the police station, where she was shown undeniable evidence of the crimes. She later described that moment as the collapse of everything she had built over fifty years. Dominique was taken into custody, but the damage had already been done. Shockingly, even after his arrest in September, he continued inviting men to rape Gisèle until he was finally incarcerated in November.
Gisèle immediately moved out of the family home, initiated divorce proceedings, and cut ties with Dominique. She would not see him again until their trial in 2024, by which time the divorce had been finalized.
The Trial
In September 2024, Dominique Pelicot and 50 other men stood trial in Avignon for aggravated rape, attempted rape, and sexual assault. The trial was one of the largest of its kind in French history and garnered international attention. A grandmother and retired logistics manager, Gisèle could have chosen anonymity and a private trial. Instead, she waived these rights, insisting on a public trial to shed light on the epidemic of drug-facilitated sexual assault, or “chemical submission.” Her decision was fueled by a determination to shift the shame from victims to perpetrators.
The trial was harrowing, as videos of her abuse were played in court. Gisèle fought successfully to ensure the public could witness these moments, stating, “The shame is theirs.” Throughout the trial, she demonstrated extraordinary dignity and courage, becoming a voice for countless survivors.
The defendants, aged between 26 and 74, included men from all walks of life—nurses, journalists, prison wardens, councilors, and soldiers. Many claimed ignorance, arguing that they believed they were participating in consensual role-play orchestrated by the couple. Some apologized in court, while others denied culpability entirely. Dominique, however, admitted to his crimes, telling the court, “I am a rapist, like the others in this room.”
On December 19, 2024, the verdict was delivered. Dominique received the maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. Of the 50 other defendants, 49 were convicted and sentenced to terms ranging from 3 to 15 years. The remaining man, charged with raping his own wife but not Gisèle, was also convicted.
Impact and Recognition
The public trial was a watershed moment in France’s fight against sexual violence. Gisèle’s bravery inspired countless victims to come forward, and her story became a rallying cry for feminist movements worldwide. She left court each day to applause from supporters gathered outside. Her image appeared in street art, and slogans like “Shame must change sides” adorned walls near the courthouse.
Gisèle’s determination to raise awareness extended beyond the courtroom. She became a feminist icon, earning a place on the BBC’s 2024 list of 100 Women and the Financial Times’ list of the 25 most influential women of the year. French President Emmanuel Macron publicly praised her for her “dignity and courage,” and leaders across Europe, including German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, expressed their admiration.
Her case also spurred concrete action. A call center dedicated to supporting victims of chemical submission saw a dramatic increase in outreach after the trial. Located in a Paris hospital, the center became a vital resource for those who believed they had been drugged and assaulted.
A Legacy of Courage
Gisèle Pelicot’s decision to confront her abusers publicly was not born of bravery alone but of a steadfast belief in justice and societal change. Speaking after the trial, she expressed hope for a future where women and men could live together in mutual respect. Her story is a stark reminder of the resilience of the human spirit and the importance of standing against injustice, no matter how insurmountable it may seem.
Gisèle’s ordeal and her subsequent triumph in the courtroom have left an indelible mark on the fight against sexual violence. Her name will forever be synonymous with courage, determination, and the unwavering pursuit of justice.