Warning: This article contains discussion of rape which some readers may find distressing.
A French woman whose former husband allegedly drugged her and allowed dozens of men to rape her has testified against those who suggested she may have been an ‘accomplice’ in the assaults.
On September 2, Gisèle Pelicot, 72, became the center of a mass sexual abuse trial held in the French city of Avignon.
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Of the 83 men thought to be involved, 51 have been identified by police and are accused of raping the woman over an 11 year period.
One of which is her ex-spouse of 50 years, Dominique Pelicot, 71.
It’s understood that Dominique allegedly invited men to sexually abuse his wife through an online forum between 2011 and 2020.
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Gisèle only learned of the alleged assaults after police recovered more than 20,000 images and videos of the attacks on her husband’s phone and computer drives.
It’s understood she left her husband after officials showed her some of the images.
Although Gisèle had the option of a private trial, the mother-of-three opted to waive her right to anonymity so she could support and raise awareness for other victims of similar crimes.
“I speak for all women who are drugged and don’t know about it, I do it on behalf of all women who will perhaps never know,” she said at the time.
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In his first testimony on Tuesday (September 17), Dominique admitted to all the charges against him, testifying to the court: "I am a rapist like the others in this room."
Referring to the other men who are currently standing trial, he alleged: “They all knew, they cannot say the contrary.”
He went on to claim that his ex-wife ‘did not deserve’ this.
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After defense lawyers suggested that Gisèle may have acted as an ‘accomplice’ to the alleged rapes, she hit back by expressing her outrage at the sentiment.
“Since setting foot in this courtroom I have felt humiliated,” Gisèle said.
“I’m being called an alcoholic, and someone who gets intoxicated to the point of becoming Mr Pelicot’s accomplice.
“I was in a comatose state and the videos that will be shown will prove this.”
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According to French TV channel TFI, Gisèle added: “I have the impression that the culprit is me, and that behind me the 50 are victims.”
The trial in southern France is ongoing and is expected to continue until December.
If you've been affected by any of the issues in this article, you can contact The National Sexual Assault Hotline on 800.656.HOPE (4673), available 24/7. Or you can chat online via online.rainn.org.
Topics: Crime, France, World News
Ella Scott