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Rabat – The harrowing case of Gisele Pelicot, the woman who was drugged and raped by more than 50 men recruited by her husband from July 2011 to October 2020, has finally come to light, as the trial began on September 2.
Known as the “Mazan rape case,” Gisele’s husband, Dominique Pelicot, reportedly recruited these men on the dating website Coco.fr, to rape her at home in Mazan, near the southern city of Avignon. These men, ranging in age from 24 to 74, were typical members of society, holding regular jobs and having families and children.
Her husband is also accused of having drugged his wife with anti-anxiety drugs during those 10 years, which he did in order to rape her and subdue her to be raped by dozens recruited on the internet.
According to reports, “A son insu” (unbeknownst to him) is the name of the chat room on the dating site, where her now ex-husband used to recruit the men who raped his wife.
“You’re like me, you like rape mode”, reads a message that Dominique sent in a chatroom with another caller, along with a series of other vulgar exchanges. The chatroom was closed in June as a result of it being implicated in several criminal cases.
Beneath the surface of the Mazan rape case
The events started on September 12, 2020, with what seemed like an ordinary incident. Police were called to a supermarket in Mazan (Vaucluse), where security guards had detained Dominique for filming under the skirts of several female shoppers with his cell phone.
Upon examining the laptop seized from his home, investigators found a file named “Abus.” This file contained over 20,000 photos and videos, meticulously organized by date, first name or nickname, and pornographic title.
At the police station, his wife learned that since 2011, her husband—whom she initially described as “a great guy”—has subjected her to dozens of men while she was under medication that left her with no memory. “He disgusts me; I feel dirty, violated, and betrayed. It’s like a tsunami; I’ve been struck by a high-speed train,” she recounted to the judge while reflecting on her shocking discovery.
“I’m a rapist just like everyone else in this room. They all know they can’t say otherwise,” Dominique said in response, referring to the 50 co-defendants at the trial. Regarding the state of his wife Gisele, whom he drugged to rape her and facilitate her assault at their home in Mazan, he said that “She didn’t deserve it, I admit.”
Dominique faces numerous charges including rape, gang rape, and privacy breaches by recording and disseminating sexual images.
Paradigm shift on sexual violence, stigma
Gisele Pelicot has emerged as a feminist symbol by insisting that her trial remain public rather than private, wanting to hold her ex-husband accountable for the world to see.
The trial in Avignon of Dominique Pelicot and 50 other men accused of raping her has shocked the world and sparked widespread protests across France in support of Gisele.
A social media campaign has also rallied behind her, with many, particularly women, asserting that she is changing the narrative around shame associated with sexual assault.
“Her husband wished for a private trial, which would have allowed their names to remain anonymous, but she wanted to shame the men who have raped her and hold them responsible publicly for what they’ve done. Her strength is unbelievable,” a supporter posted on X.
Gisele initiated divorce proceedings after meeting with investigators regarding the case.
Sexual assault and rape remain a pervasive issue globally, affecting individuals regardless of age, gender, or background.
Cultural stigma, inadequate legal frameworks, and a lack of support systems often silence survivors, making it difficult for them to seek justice.
In many regions, societal norms perpetuate victim-blaming and reinforce harmful stereotypes, discouraging reporting and accountability.
Activism and awareness campaigns have risen to confront these narratives, advocating for systemic reforms and enhanced protections for victims, exemplified by Gisele’s bravery in speaking out about her case.
