PARIS. A 71-year-old French man, Dominique Pelicot, is standing trial for the horrific crime of drugging his wife and allowing dozens of strangers to rape her over nearly a decade. The case has sent shockwaves through France, as the extent of the abuse and the involvement of multiple perpetrators come to light.
Pelicot allegedly advertised sexual encounters with his wife on a website, inviting men to their home in Mazan, a small town in southern France. The men, who are now also on trial, reportedly raped his wife while she was unconscious due to the drugs Pelicot administered. The prosecutor’s office revealed that Pelicot filmed the assaults, amassing thousands of photos and videos.
The case only came to light four years ago when police, investigating Pelicot for filming upskirt videos of women in a supermarket, stumbled upon the disturbing footage. Until then, his wife had been completely unaware of the rapes. “She knew nothing of what was inflicted on her. She had no memory of the rapes she suffered,” said her lawyer, Antoine Camus, in an interview with France Bleu radio.
The 50 men involved, spanning various ages and backgrounds, now face up to 20 years in prison if convicted. Some have confessed to their crimes, while others claim they believed the wife was merely pretending to be asleep during the assaults.
The trial, which opened on Monday and is expected to continue until December, will include the presentation of video evidence of the rapes. Despite the graphic nature of the case, the trial will not be held behind closed doors, as is often customary in violent sex crime cases. Pelicot’s wife, now 72, insisted on a public trial to raise awareness about sexual abuse and the dangers of drug-induced blackouts. “Shame must change sides,” said her lawyer, Stephane Babonneau, echoing her sentiments.
Pelicot has admitted to his crimes, according to his lawyer, Beatrice Zavarro, who spoke to French media. The trial is expected to be a painful ordeal for the victim but is seen as a crucial step in exposing and condemning such heinous acts.
Paraluman P. Funtanilla
Paraluman P. Funtanilla is Tutubi News Magazine's Marketing Specialist and is a Contributing Editor. She finished her degree in Communication Arts in De La Salle Lipa. She has worked as a Digital Marketer for start-up businesses and small business spaces for the past two years. She has earned certificates from Coursera on Brand Management: Aligning Business Brand and Behavior and Viral Marketing and How to Craft Contagious Content. She also worked with Asia Express Romania TV Show.
