Vithanage Erandi Kawshalya Madhushani Jade Times Staff
V.E.K. Madhushani is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Europe.
Dominique Pelicot confesses to orchestrating horrific assaults, implicating dozens of accomplices in a case that has gripped France.
Dominique Pelicot, a 71 year old man accused of drugging his wife and facilitating her abuse by dozens of men over the course of more than a decade, has admitted to all charges against him. In his first testimony since the trial began on September 2, Pelicot confessed, "I am a rapist like the others in this room," implicating himself and 50 co defendants who stand accused of raping his now ex wife, Gisèle.
Pelicot told the court that all involved were aware of their actions, rejecting claims from many of the defendants who have denied rape charges. "They all knew, they cannot say the contrary," he said. Of the 50 men on trial, only 15 have admitted to rape, while others maintain they only participated in sexual acts. Pelicot, reflecting on his ex wife, said, "She did not deserve this."
Gisèle, who had been unaware of the abuse due to being drugged, described her emotional devastation in court. "It is difficult for me to listen to this," she said. "For 50 years, I lived with a man who I would've never imagined capable of this. I trusted him completely."
The case, which has shocked France, has sparked widespread outrage and ignited a national conversation around issues of marital rape, consent, and the use of chemical submission. Gisèle, who waived her right to anonymity, requested that the trial remain open to the public to shift the "shame" back onto the accused. Outside the courtroom, she was met with applause from supporters and handed a bouquet of flowers as a symbol of solidarity.
Pelicot, a father and grandfather, began his testimony by recounting traumatic childhood experiences, including sexual abuse by a male nurse when he was nine years old. He also revealed that he considered suicide after discovering Gisèle had been unfaithful. Despite his admissions of guilt, Pelicot repeatedly insisted that he "loved" his wife and did not hate her, stating, "I loved her immensely and I still do."
During questioning, Pelicot admitted that he was unable to stop his abusive behavior, even as Gisèle's health deteriorated due to the drugs he was administering. Gisèle had initially feared she was suffering from Alzheimer's or a brain tumor, unaware that the symptoms were side effects of the sedatives. Pelicot acknowledged, "I tried to stop, but my addiction was stronger. I betrayed her trust."
Pelicot also faces accusations of drugging and abusing his daughter, Caroline, after semi nude photos of her were discovered on his laptop. However, he has denied these allegations and insisted that he never harmed his grandchildren.
According to Pelicot, his perverse actions began in 2010 after meeting a male nurse online who introduced him to the idea of drugging his wife. The nurse explained how to administer the sedative and shared images of drugged women, which Pelicot claims triggered his descent into abuse.
In addition to facilitating the abuse, Pelicot filmed the assaults and shared the footage online, using it both for "pleasure" and as "insurance." Investigators used these videos to track down the 50 co defendants now on trial.
Pelicot emphasized that he never forced any of the men involved, asserting that they willingly participated. "I didn't force anyone, they came to look for me," he said. He also rejected claims that the defendants were unaware of the non consensual nature of the acts, noting that the camera setup was visible in the room.
While some of the accused have claimed they were "manipulated" into believing they were engaging in consensual acts, Pelicot was adamant that his wife was the only person he ever "manipulated."
As the trial continues, Gisèle remains a symbol of resilience, and her case has led to widespread support for victims of rape and a national reckoning over issues of consent and abuse within marriage. Pelicot’s testimony is expected to continue, with his lawyer stating that the trial will reveal the full extent of his actions.
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