A French woman, Gisele Pelicot, was met with overwhelming support as she exited a French court following a trial against her husband and 50 other men accused of horrific crimes against her. The 72-year-old had been drugged and unknowingly subjected to sexual assaults orchestrated by her husband, Dominique Pelicot, who recruited strangers online to commit these acts while she was unconscious.
Gisele’s husband, Dominique Pelicot, drugged her with sleeping pills and anti-anxiety medications over the course of nearly a decade. He then arranged for strangers to come to their home and sexually assault her while she was unconscious. She remained unaware of these assaults for years until Dominique’s arrest in 2020, which revealed the full extent of his crimes.
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As Gisele left the courthouse in Avignon, she was met with applause from supporters. Many viewed her courage as a powerful stand against the horrific abuses she endured. A video of the scene was shared by Reuters, showing the public’s admiration for her bravery.
Social media users also voiced their support. One person commented, “Her courage shows how strong women are and how we can hold men accountable for their actions against our bodies,” while another shared, “She is such an absolute warrior and will save so many with her courage.”
Dominique Pelicot, now 71, admitted to drugging his wife and allowing strangers to rape her. In court, he confessed, “I am a rapist, like the others in this room,” referring to the other accused men. He expressed regret for his actions, stating, “I regret what I’ve done, and I ask for forgiveness, even if it’s unforgivable.”
Dominique’s crimes went undetected for nearly ten years, during which Gisele suffered both physical and mental harm, including severe health problems like sexually transmitted infections. The abuse only came to light when Dominique was arrested for a separate offense of filming women without consent. During the investigation, police discovered videos of the assaults and informed Gisele.
This case is now one of France’s most shocking criminal trials in recent history, highlighting the ongoing fight for justice and the resilience of survivors like Gisele.
