She had been experiencing hair loss and weight loss for years. There were days where she would forget everything, entering a dreamlike state. Concerned loved ones suspected Alzheimer’s. However, a visit to a police station in southern France in late 2020 revealed a much darker truth.
Her husband of five decades, Dominique Pelicot, was discovered to have been drugging her with sleeping pills in order to rape her. He even allowed other men to come into their home and film themselves assaulting her. The abuse had been ongoing for nearly ten years. The police spent two years identifying and charging the other suspects using evidence from the man’s photos, videos, and online messages.
Now, 51 men, including Mr. Pelicot, are set to face trial in Avignon. This case has shocked France and brought attention to the use of drugs in sexual abuse. The accused men come from various backgrounds, ranging in age from 26 to 74.
The victim, now in her 70s, has divorced her husband and changed her surname. Mr. Pelicot has admitted his guilt, while others deny the charges or claim they believed the victim had consented. The victim had no memory of the assaults, only recognizing one of the men.
The trial has sparked a conversation about sexual crimes in France, with calls for a more explicit definition of rape in the law. The case has also highlighted the use of drugs to prey on women and the diverse profile of predators.
Mr. Pelicot, a seemingly normal man, was an electrician and entrepreneur. His daughter, Caroline Darian, started a nonprofit to raise awareness about drug-facilitated crimes after the revelations about her father. The family had appeared happy, hosting gatherings and enjoying time together until the shocking truth came to light in 2020.
The investigation uncovered thousands of videos and photos of the assaults, dating back to 2011. Mr. Pelicot admitted to drugging his wife and inviting others to participate. The case has led to the arrest of many suspects and has shed light on the dark reality of sexual abuse facilitated by drugs.