Experts testified in a French court, describing 71-year-old retiree Dominique Pelicot as a manipulative individual with a “self-centered” nature and a split personality on Monday. Pelicot is on trial in Avignon, facing accusations of repeatedly raping his wife and orchestrating her abuse by recruiting dozens of strangers to rape her while she was drugged and unaware. This shocking behavior spanned over a decade and took place in the privacy of their own home.
The case, which has drawn widespread horror across France, also involves 50 other men, aged between 26 and 74. These men are accused of participating in the assaults and are currently being prosecuted alongside Pelicot. Their involvement adds another layer of complexity to this already disturbing case, which exposes how deeply coordinated and widespread the abuse was.
The court proceedings, which began last week and will continue until December, have been opened to the public at the request of Gisele Pelicot, Dominique’s ex-wife and the primary victim. Gisele, also 71, has chosen to make her story public to raise awareness about the dangers of drug-facilitated sexual abuse. She hopes that her case will shed light on this form of abuse, which is often hidden and difficult to prosecute.
As the trial progresses into its second week, experts are delving into Dominique Pelicot’s psychological profile, attempting to understand the mind of a man who, until the discovery of his crimes in 2020, was perceived by friends and family as a loving father and grandfather. His ability to mask his predatory behavior for years has shocked those who knew him, and the court is now working to reveal the full extent of his actions.
