'I am a rapist': Husband Dominique Pelicot admits to charges on facilitating mass rape

Dominique Pelicot, a 71-year-old Frenchman, has admitted to the criminal charges of drugging his wife and facilitating her rape by dozens of men over nearly a decade. Hundreds of people, mostly women, have taken to the streets in support of Gisele Pelicot, with feminist groups organising 30 gatherings across cities from Marseille to Paris, displaying banners like “Support to Gisele” and “Victims, We Believe You.”
Appearing in court with a cane due to health issues, Pelicot confessed, saying, "I admit to the charges in their entirety...I am a rapist just like all the others in this room," according to BFM TV. The case, involving his 72-year-old wife Gisele, unfolded after Pelicot drugged her with sleeping pills and tranquilizers without her knowledge. Over the years, he invited more than 50 men he met online to sexually assault her at their home in Mazan, near Avignon. Despite the horrific details, Gisele has shown immense courage throughout the trial. She allowed journalists to use her full name and gave permission for explicit videos of the abuse to be shown in court. Her bravery has made her a symbol of the fight against sexual violence in France.
The abuse, which began in 2011, continued until it was discovered in 2020 when Pelicot was caught secretly filming women in a supermarket. Upon further investigation, authorities uncovered 20,000 photographs documenting the assaults on Gisele, which Pelicot meticulously organised.
Pelicot's actions caused his wife to believe she was suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, as the drugging impaired her memory. He reportedly imposed strict rules on the men to avoid waking her, including maintaining personal hygiene and undressing in the kitchen.
The trial involves not only Pelicot but also the 50 men who participated in the assaults. The proceedings are expected to last four months. While some of the defendants claimed they were misled by Pelicot into believing Gisele was consenting, others argued that a husband’s consent was sufficient, sparking outrage across the country. One lawyer controversially stated that “there is rape and rape, and without intention, there is no rape.”
Shocking revelations during the trial also deeply affected Pelicot’s family, including his daughter Caroline Darain, who left the courtroom after discovering nude photos of herself on her father’s computer.