Dominique Pelicot’s case left France stunned. For over a decade, this seemingly ordinary man from Mazan, a quiet town in southern France, orchestrated horrific crimes against his wife, Gisèle. Pelicot drugged her repeatedly with anti-anxiety medication, enabling himself, his friends, and even strangers to sexually assault her.
At Crime+Investigation, we’ve explored many cases of betrayal, but the details that emerged in court and across global media are particularly disturbing. They reveal a narrative of calculated abuse spanning nine years.
His crimes came to light in 2020, leading to a trial that saw 51 men convicted and Dominique Pelicot sentenced to 20 years in jail. Though it didn’t end in domestic homicide, the case raises deeply unsettling questions about trust, betrayal and the systems that failed to protect a vulnerable woman.
A decade of deception
In 2011, Pelicot began drugging his wife into a state of comatose. While she lay unconscious, he invited others into their home to assault her. Some were friends, others were strangers he found through an unmoderated chat site called Coco. It’s a similar concept to the dark web, where criminals like the Eunuch Maker thrive.
For years, Gisèle Pelicot had no idea what was happening. She trusted her husband, the man who was supposed to love and protect her. That trust became the weapon he used against her.
How he was caught
Dominique’s downfall began in 2020 when a security guard reported him to authorities for using a smartphone to film under women's skirts in a supermarket. Following his arrest, he was interviewed by psychiatrist Laurent Layet, who immediately noticed an unusual air of 'dissonance' in Pelicot’s behaviour. Suspicious that he was hiding something bigger, Layet advised police to investigate further.
What they discovered was shocking.
Police seized multiple phones, along with a camera and a video recorder Pelicot was carrying at the time. They also seized a laptop, USB key, SD card and hard drive from his home. Footage on the devices revealed the full extent of the abuse.
In a meeting with police, Gisèle was told about their suspicions that her husband had not only been drugging her for years but inviting men to rape her in their home.
Tracking down the perpetrators
Police meticulously sifted through photos, as well as Skype recordings, phone calls and text messages, to track down most of the men involved in the rapes. A hard drive stored in Mr. Pelicot’s garage was one of the most incriminating pieces of evidence, with police finding thousands of pictures and videos stored in a folder called 'Abuse'.
The trial: a pursuit of justice
It’s not just the trial that has gripped the nation. France united to support Gisèle Pelicot, who bravely decided to waive her anonymity and allow the trial (and her name) to be made public.
Her motivation? To make the shame swap sides from the victim to the rapist. This determination has won Gisèle hearts across France and turned the 72-year-old woman into a feminist icon. An article published by the New York Times suggests her 'orange Louise Brooks bob' and 'round John Lennon sunglasses' became iconic.
Gisèle attended the trial almost every day and was applauded for the grace and dignity with which she did so.
A beacon of resilience
In the aftermath of unimaginable trauma, Gisèle Pelicot has become a symbol of resilience and strength. Her decision to face her abuser in court has inspired others and brought attention to a global issue too often hidden behind closed doors.
By waiving her anonymity, Gisèle ensured her story would be heard. She has spoken openly about the need to confront the stigma survivors face.
'I want all women who have been raped to say: Madame Pelicot did it, I can too,' she said during the trial. Her courage has inspired solidarity and renewed focus on justice for survivors.
A country forced to reflect
Although Pelicot received a 20-year sentence, questions remain. Why did the abuse go undetected for so long? Could better systems have protected Gisèle? These concerns highlight the need for improved measures to detect and prevent domestic abuse not only in France but around the world.
As France reflects on this case, one message stands out: the fight for justice, the protection of survivors and the end goal to tackle Europe’s problem with domestic abuse must continue without pause.
For more in-depth coverage of shocking cases like this, sign up for the Crime+Investigation newsletter today. Stay informed with exclusive insights delivered straight to your inbox.
