France's Largest Rape Trial: A Survivor's Story

Gisèle Pelicot, the central figure in France's largest rape trial, shared her harrowing experience of discovering her husband repeatedly drugged her into unconsciousness. She recounted how this allowed dozens of men to rape her over many years, a realization that left her 'crushed by horror.'

Pelicot described the moment a policeman showed her photographic evidence as the beginning of her 'descent into hell.' She learned her husband had secretly filmed, cataloged, and stored thousands of images and videos of her assaults. Many perpetrators remained unidentified.

Revealing her husband's crimes to her three children was an immensely difficult experience, causing her daughter to scream inhumanely. The family grappled with the betrayal, some discarding possessions to erase Dominique Pelicot's presence.

Her marriage, which began in 1973, was initially characterized by deep love. However, by 2011, Pelicot suffered memory loss and gynecological issues, later revealed to be caused by sedatives and the assaults.

Pelicot chose to waive her legal anonymity, a decision she has never regretted. She aimed to send a powerful message to other victims, believing in their inner strength. The public trial, which concluded in 2024, brought her immense support from women, including a letter from Queen Camilla.

Despite the profound betrayal, Pelicot is focused on healing and rebuilding her life. She has found love again with Jean-Loup and hopes to visit her ex-husband in jail to seek answers about their daughter and a 1991 murder case he is linked to.