Gisèle Pelicot takes stand in French mass rape trial

Gisèle Pelicot took the stand in a French court on Wednesday, recounting her harrowing experience as her former husband stands trial for drugging and raping her during their marriage, along with inviting numerous other men to assault her. Speaking at the trial in Avignon, Pelicot emphasized that she wants other survivors of rape to understand that the shame lies with the perpetrators, not with them.

“I want all women who have been raped to say: Madame Pelicot did it, I can too. I don’t want them to feel ashamed any longer,” she declared, highlighting her request for a transparent trial and for the videos of the alleged attacks to be shown in court.

At 71 years old, Pelicot addressed the court after her legal team sought the opportunity for her to respond to the evidence presented thus far. She has borne witness to numerous family members of the defendants, including wives and mothers, praising the accused as “exceptional men.”

“That’s just like who I had back home,” she noted. “But a rapist is not just someone you meet in a dark parking lot late at night; he can also be found among family and friends.”

Describing her emotional state, Pelicot expressed feeling “completely destroyed,” and spoke of the arduous journey of rebuilding her life. “I don’t know if my whole life will be enough to understand,” she said.

When addressing her former husband, she referred to him as Mr. Pelicot, expressing regret over losing the intimacy of their bond. “I wish I could still call him Dominique. We lived together for 50 years; I was a happy, fulfilled woman. You were a caring, attentive husband, and I never doubted you. We shared laughter and tears,” she said, her voice breaking.

Pelicot filed for divorce in 2021. In court, she confronted the grim reality of her past. Dominique admitted to recruiting men online to assault her while she was under the influence of sedatives and sleeping pills he secretly administered between 2010 and 2020. Reflecting on their life together, she shared, “I used to feel lucky to have him by my side, especially during my health issues, which were later linked to the drugs he was giving me.”

“I’m trying to understand how this man, whom I thought was perfect, could betray me like this. How could you let these strangers into my bedroom?” she questioned, addressing the depth of her disillusionment.

Pelicot recalled fond memories of Dominique cooking for her and bringing her dessert—methods she later learned were part of his scheme to drug her. She explained that despite feeling unusually tired upon waking, she attributed it to her long walks and never realized the signs of what was truly happening.

Throughout the trial, Pelicot and her lawyers speculated whether her former husband’s actions stemmed from feelings of inferiority due to her previous affair with a coworker or a perceived social status difference between them.

As the trial garnered significant public attention in France, Pelicot reflected on the support she received. “I’ve been told I’m brave. This isn’t bravery; it’s the will and determination to change society,” she stated emphatically. “Bravery means jumping into the sea to rescue someone. I just have will and determination.”

She expressed her commitment to be present in court daily, motivated by all those who stand behind her. “I’ve never regretted asking for an open trial. I did this because what happened to me can never happen again,” Pelicot asserted.

While many of the alleged assaults were recorded, a majority of the defendants deny the charges, arguing that they were unaware Pelicot was unconscious and thus did not realize they were assaulting her. Although she has attended court most days, she has only taken the stand twice, citing feelings of humiliation regarding suggestions she agreed to participate in a sex game.

“This trial has drawn considerable attention in France, where Ms. Pelicot has emerged as a feminist icon—especially for her decision to waive her right to anonymity,” the statement noted. Her legal team argues that making the trial public shifts the stigma back onto the accused.

In support of Pelicot, marches were held across over a dozen French cities last Saturday, with several feminist organizations calling on the government to expand rape laws to explicitly include consent.

The trial, which started on September 2, is ongoing and is expected to reach a verdict in late December.