By 71-year-old Dominique Pélicot admitted in court Tuesday to systematically drugging his wife and facilitating her rape by dozens of men over nearly a decade, as well as raping her himself.
“Today I maintain that, along with the other men here, I am a rapist,” Pélicot told the court, seated in a wheelchair. “They knew everything. They can’t say otherwise.”
The case, unfolding in a courthouse in Avignon, has become a focal point in France’s ongoing struggle with sexual violence. Pélicot’s ex-wife, Gisèle, has taken the unusual step of waiving her anonymity, allowing the trial to be public and appearing openly before the media.
Pélicot’s testimony, delayed for days due to health issues, offered a disturbing glimpse into the mind of the accused. He spoke for an hour, recounting childhood traumas that he claimed shaped his behavior. “One is not born a pervert, one becomes a pervert,” Pélicot said, describing being raped by a male nurse at age 9 and forced to participate in a gang rape at 14.
The crimes came to light in 2020 when Pélicot was caught filming up women’s skirts in a supermarket. A subsequent police investigation uncovered thousands of photos and videos showing men engaging in sexual acts with an unconscious Gisèle Pélicot. Using this evidence, authorities tracked down most of the 72 suspects they sought.
Gisèle Pélicot, who had been married to Dominique for 50 years and had three children with him, initially defended her husband to police. It was only after being shown photographic evidence that she left him. They are now divorced.
Fifty other men, ranging in age from 26 to 74, are also on trial. Many deny knowing Gisèle was not consenting, claiming they were manipulated by her then-husband.
The trial has drawn intense public interest. Bernadette Tessonière, a 69-year-old retiree, arrived at the courthouse before dawn to secure a seat. “How is it possible that in 50 years of communal life, one can live next to someone who hides his life so well? This is scary,” she said.
Pélicot faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted. His testimony is seen as crucial for the panel of judges to determine the fate of the other defendants.
The proceedings, which cannot be filmed or photographed under French law, are expected to continue with Gisèle Pélicot’s testimony. Her decision to speak publicly has made her a symbol in the fight against sexual violence in France, bringing new awareness to the issue.
