MAZAN, France — The picturesque village of Mazan in southern France is at the center of a chilling criminal case involving systematic abuse. Authorities report that over a decade, a 72-year-old woman was repeatedly raped by numerous men while she was unconscious in her own home, allegedly drugged by her husband, Dominique Pelicot.
Dominique Pelicot, 71, a retired electrician, confessed to facilitating multiple rapes of his wife, Gisèle Pelicot, offering her to a constant stream of men he met online and recording the assaults. His arrest in September 2020 was unrelated; however, investigations led to the recovery of over 20,000 disturbing images and videos from his computer, identifying 50 out of 83 men involved.
“I am a rapist, like the others in this room,” Pelicot told the court as his testimony commenced.
The trial, which began on September 2 in Avignon, has captured national attention, igniting conversations about the pervasive sexism in French society, which sees only 6% of rape allegations prosecuted. Advocates are highlighting the alarming “rape culture” that has allowed such abuses to continue unchallenged for years. Activists question how many individuals were aware of the situation in Mazan and failed to report it, and they believe drugging victims is a more extensive issue than recognized.
This case has become a stark symbol of extreme male violence, according to Anne-Cécile Mailfert, president of Fondation des Femmes. In a remarkable display of courage, Gisèle Pelicot chose to make her identity public, transforming her narrative from one of victimhood to agency.
Each day, she has walked into the courthouse with determination, her face prominently featured in the media. “Today I’m taking back control of my life,” she declared during her testimony. “Many women don’t have the proof. I have the proof.”
Her bravery and composure have inspired significant public support, leading to rallies in major cities advocating for better treatment of sexual assault victims. Standing before the court, Gisèle, who has struggled with memory loss due to medications administered by her husband, spoke firmly about her experience. “It is not for myself that I am testifying, but for all the women who suffer chemical submission,” she emphasized.
Dominique Pelicot faced the court from a glass enclosure reserved for defendants, while many of the other accused sat quietly in the audience. Testimonies revealed that some participants did not perceive what they did as rape, with many arguing that consent from the husband sufficed.
The defendants are a mix of local men, including tradespeople and professionals, whose ages range from 26 to 74. Many are family men, highlighting the disturbing reality of their actions. Gisèle remarked that they treated her as a mere object, devoid of agency, stating, “They considered me like a rag doll. Like a garbage bag.”
Dominique Pelicot admitted to his actions, expressing remorse and attributing his behavior to an addiction. He meticulously documented the assaults, naming and dating each incident in a folder labeled “Abuse,” which ultimately aided the police in expanding their investigation into his circle of abusers.
Also on trial is Jean-Pierre Maréchal, who allegedly employed the same tactics as Pelicot, drugging his wife and facilitating her abuse. Maréchal confessed to the charges.
Prosecutors assert that Pelicot met Maréchal on a now-defunct website linked to thousands of criminal investigations, where he used user names implying his predatory intentions.
While Gisèle Pelicot received support from the police and advocacy groups, her experience opens broader discussions about societal attitudes toward sexual violence in France. Despite rising awareness following the #MeToo movement, the prosecution rate for rape remains alarmingly low.
The local community’s reaction has been mixed. While some have dismissed claims of a pervasive rape culture, others are troubled by the incidents and the silence that allowed them to persist.
Gisèle Pelicot has since left her home, taking only a few belongings from her marriage of 50 years. “I no longer have an identity,” she stated poignantly, reflecting on the devastation of her past life.