Gisèle Pelicot, a 72-year-old grandmother, initially became a national icon after stepping forward as the victim in France’s largest-ever rape trial. The case, involving 51 men including her husband Dominique, concluded with guilty verdicts for 46 men. Now, as one of the convicted men, Husamettin Dogan, appeals his sentence, Gisèle returns to court, not as an icon, but as a witness to the ongoing legal process.
The trial, which captivated the nation and garnered international attention, revealed a horrific decade-long ordeal where Gisèle was systematically drugged and raped by men recruited by her husband, who also filmed the assaults. Dogan, convicted of aggravated rape and sentenced to nine years, is challenging his conviction and sentence, leading to a retrial where Gisèle will once again be present.
Gisèle’s courage in waiving her anonymity and allowing the harrowing videos to be shown in court propelled her into the spotlight, inspiring many. However, the public ordeal has also had a profound personal cost. While initially supported by her three children – Caroline, David, and Florian – during the trial, a deep rift has emerged. Caroline and David, who felt like “forgotten victims,” are estranged from their mother, with only Florian expected to accompany her to the upcoming proceedings.
The family’s fracturing stems from accusations of incest against Dominique Pelicot, which Gisèle did not directly address in court, leading Caroline to feel abandoned. This personal tragedy, mirroring the societal impact of the trial, highlights the devastating ripple effects of sexual violence, not only on the victim but on her entire family. As Gisèle faces this new legal chapter, she also navigates the painful reality of a family torn apart by the very crimes that made her a symbol of resilience.