'I Was Treated Like Rag Doll': Woman Whose Husband Invited 72 Men To Rape Her

The French judiciary is currently facing one of its most disturbing cases in history, as a trial unfolds in Avignon involving 72 men accused of prolonged sexual abuse of a woman over nearly a decade. This harrowing case has not only shocked the nation but has also ignited widespread discussions about sexual crimes, rape culture and its broader societal implications.

The Unimaginable Truth Uncovered

For years, Gisèle Pélicot, the survivor, exhibited signs that baffled her family and friends. Her deteriorating health, marked by weight loss, hair loss, and memory lapses, led those around her to fear that she was suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. Her symptoms were so severe that she would sometimes forget entire days or enter dreamlike trances, leaving her loved ones deeply concerned.

In late 2020, the horrifying truth came to light when she was summoned to a police station in southern France. It was there that she learned the unimaginable: her husband of 50 years, Dominique Pélicot, had been drugging her with sleeping pills, rendering her unconscious, and then sexually assaulting her. But the horror didn’t end there. He had also invited dozens of men into their home to rape her, filming the assaults, in a nightmare that spanned nearly a decade, as reported by The New York Times.

The details of the abuse are chilling. Pélicot had been crushing sleeping pills and anti-anxiety medication into his wife’s food and drink, ensuring she was in a deep, almost comatose state. He then used an online chatroom called 'without her knowing' to ‘recruit men’ who shared fantasies of performing sexual acts on non-consenting partners. These men were instructed to avoid any scents, such as perfume or cigarette smoke, and to leave immediately if Gisèle moved even slightly, to avoid arousing suspicion.

The evidence against Dominique Pélicot was overwhelming. A security guard caught him filming up women’s skirts in a supermarket, which led to his arrest on November 2, 2020. A subsequent search of his home uncovered a USB drive labelled "abuses," containing 20,000 images and videos of his wife being raped nearly 100 times. Since his arrest, Pélicot has confessed to his crimes, stating, “I put her to sleep, I offered her, and I filmed”, as reported by The Guardian.

A Case That Shook a Nation

The trial, which began on September 2 in Avignon, has drawn significant attention, not only because of the nature of the crimes but also because of the sheer number of accused individuals. The 51 men on trial, including Dominique Pélicot, represent a cross-section of French society—truck drivers, soldiers, carpenters, nurses, and even a local journalist. They range in age from 26 to 74, and many have families of their own.

Dominique Pélicot, now 71, is facing additional charges, including the rape and murder of a 23-year-old estate agent in Paris in 1991, as well as the attempted rape of another estate agent who managed to escape. The trial is expected to last four months, and if convicted, the accused could face up to 20 years in prison.

Gisèle Pélicot said she was testifying “for all women” who had been assaulted while drugged and to ensure “no woman suffers this." For this reason, she has waived her right to anonymity for the trial to be held in public, with the support of her three adult children. 

Gisèle Pélicot's Ordeal

Gisèle told the court on September 5 that she “was sacrificed on the altar of vice” and treated “like a rag doll” for decades. The 72-year-old said that the police "saved my life" when they investigated her husband, Dominique Pélicot’s, computer in 2020. When her husband's horrific crimes against her came to light she said, "My world fell apart. For me, everything was falling apart. Everything I had built up over 50 years.”

“When you see that woman drugged, mistreated, a dead person on a bed – of course, the body is not cold, it’s warm, but it’s as if I’m dead," Gisèle told the court, adding that 'rape' was not a "strong enough word", it was torture. She told the judges that she had only found the courage to watch the footage in May 2024. “Frankly, these are scenes of horror for me."

A Public Trial Amidst Calls for Privacy

The decision to hold the trial in public has been a significant point of contention. The public prosecutor and defence lawyers argued for a closed trial to protect the dignity of both the survivor and the defendants, citing the extreme violence depicted in the photographs and videos that would be presented as evidence. However, Gisèle Pélicot’s lawyers successfully argued against this, emphasizing her desire for transparency and justice. Gisèle, supported by her three children, arrived at the courthouse determined to see the trial through, despite the trauma it would inevitably bring.

Wider Implications 

This case has forced France to confront uncomfortable questions about the prevalence of sexual assault and the societal conditions that allow such heinous acts to occur. The diverse backgrounds of the accused men—many of whom were pillars of their communities—highlight the pervasive nature of such crimes, cutting across social and economic lines.

As the trial continues, the French public along with the entire world is left grappling with the implications of this case, not only for the legal system but for the broader culture that allowed these crimes to remain hidden for so long. The outcome of this trial will undoubtedly have far-reaching consequences, not just for the defendants but for our society as a whole.