Dominique Pelicot, accused of drugging his wife and arranging for strangers to rape her, has pleaded guilty. In court, he disclosed the horrifying acts committed against his wife, Gisele Pelicot.
One particular eight-word statement about orchestrating a mass rape by the 71-year-old is especially disturbing. His daughter labelled him “one of the greatest sexual predators.” At the Vaucluse Criminal Court, Dominique reportedly said, “We are not born perverts, we become them.”
Dominique and 50 other men face charges of aggravated rape. During the trial, Dominique, addressing the other accused, reportedly stated, “I am a rapist, like everyone else in this courtroom.”
Gisele Pelicot was unaware of the crimes, as Dominique regularly drugged her with a concoction of sleeping pills and anti-anxiety medication. Police discovered the evidence of the rapes on Dominique’s laptop after his 2020 arrest for filming under women’s skirts.
Recordings found on his computer helped police track down 72 suspects. When police initially questioned Gisele, she described her husband as a “great guy.”
Once the truth emerged, Gisele left Dominique and divorced him after 50 years of marriage. They have three children. Their daughter, who claimed in her book that her father abused her similarly, had nude pictures of herself found on Dominique’s computer.
Dominique’s testimony was delayed due to illness from kidney stones and a urinary infection. If convicted, he could face 20 years in prison.
What Other Media Are Saying
- Deseret News reports on Dominique Pélicot, who admitted to drugging his wife and recruiting men to rape her, highlighting the horrific case and its complexities in French justice. (Read more)
- Vox highlights the Pelicot case as a pivotal moment in France’s discourse on sexual violence, emphasising the need for consent in rape laws and societal change amidst outrage and feminist solidarity. (Read more)
- Boston.com reports on Dominique Pelicot’s admission to drugging his wife and facilitating her rape by dozens of men, highlighting widespread outrage and Gisele Pelicot’s courageous testimony against her former husband. (Read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
What did Dominique Pelicot plead guilty to?
Dominique Pelicot pleaded guilty to drugging his wife and enlisting strangers to rape her.
What charges is Dominique Pelicot facing?
Dominique Pelicot and 50 other men are accused of aggravated rape.
How did the police discover the crimes?
Police found evidence of the rapes on Dominique’s laptop after arresting him in 2020 for filming under women’s skirts.
How did Gisele Pelicot initially perceive her husband?
Gisele Pelicot initially thought her husband was a “great guy” when police questioned her.
What is Dominique Pelicot’s potential sentence if convicted?
If convicted, Dominique Pelicot could face 20 years in prison.