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Avignon Trial: Gisèle Pelicot's Husband and Dozens Charged in Drug-Facilitated Mass Rape

Nov 20, 2024, 09:27 AM

In Avignon, France, dozens of men accused of raping 72-year-old Gisèle Pelicot while she was unconscious are on trial. Her 71-year-old husband, Dominique Pelicot, admitted to drugging his wife over a period of ten years and recruiting men to sexually assault her. Their daughter, Caroline Darian, testified that she was also abused by her father and confronted him in court. The children have demanded severe punishment, calling their father a "monster." Some of the accused claimed ignorance, stating they did not realize it was rape. The case has sparked discussions about consent, the use of drugs to facilitate sexual assault, and the culture of rape. Gisèle waived her right to anonymity and has been hailed as a feminist hero for bringing attention to these issues and prompting societal reflection.