Gisèle Pelicot’s Children Describe ‘House of Horror’ as French Mass Rape Trial Nears End

The trial of Dominique Pelicot, a French man accused of drugging his wife, Gisèle Pelicot, and orchestrating her rape by dozens of strangers over a decade, has entered its final stages. The case, which has garnered significant attention, involves 49 other men besides Dominique Pelicot, with one defendant still at large.

Gisèle Pelicot’s children, David and Caroline Darian, recently testified in court in Avignon, southern France, describing the traumatic experiences they endured. David Pelicot described the family home as a “house of horror” where his father’s actions took place. Caroline Darian, who uses a pen name, expressed her feelings of being “forgotten” despite also being assaulted by her father.

Dominique Pelicot meticulously documented the assaults on a hard drive, which helped police identify 50 men involved. The trial has highlighted the use of drugs to commit sexual abuse, a issue Gisèle Pelicot has been vocal about, insisting the trial be open to the public to raise awareness.

Defendants in the trial have given varying testimonies, with some claiming they believed they were participating in sex games and were unaware of Gisèle’s drugged state. However, only 14 of the co-defendants have admitted to the charges of aggravated rape, which could result in up to 20 years’ imprisonment.

The trial is expected to conclude with sentencing requests later in the week and a verdict next month. Gisèle Pelicot’s courage in speaking out has made her a feminist icon, as she refuses to be ashamed and seeks to change societal attitudes towards rape).