BRAVE Gisele Pelicot has powerfully confronted her sex beast husband and the men accused of raping her.
Ms Pelicot, 72, took to the stand in court today as she condemned her 51 alleged attackers before telling her husband Dominique he “chose the darkest depths of human nature”.
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Speaking to the court in Avignon in the South of France the courageous gran said she wants harrowing details of her repeated ordeals to be laid bare at the trial.
The mum-of-three has even asked for videos filmed by her vile husband Dominique to be used in evidence.
The defiant woman spoke on the case as she said: “It’s not for us to have shame – it’s for them”
“I want all women who have been raped to say: Madame Pelicot did it, I can too.
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“I don’t want them to be ashamed any longer.”
And she requested an opportunity to respond to the evidence and testimony that have been shared so far at the trial.
She was inspired to take the stand after wives, mothers and sisters of the defendants told the court the accused were “exceptional men”.
Ms Pelicot continued: “That’s just like who I had back home – but a rapist is not just someone you meet in a dark car park late at night.
“He can also be found in the family, among friends.”
She says the allegations against her partner of 50 years has left her “completely destroyed” as she condemned him on the stand.
Supported by her family, Ms Pelicot was given a round of applause as she arrived in court.
She first recalled some happy times with Dominique before he turned into the monster whose alleged crimes shocked the world.
But she went on to tell the court as her voice started to break: “I don’t know if my whole life will be enough to understand.
“I wish I could still call him Dominique. We lived together for 50 years, I was a happy, fulfilled woman.
“You were a caring, attentive husband, and I never doubted you. We shared laughter and tears.”
Dominique has admitted to recruiting men online to rape his wife while she was under the effect of heavy sedatives he administered to her in secret between 2010 and 2020.
Ms Pelicot said: “I am trying to understand how this man, who to me was perfect, could have done this.
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“How can he have betrayed me at this point? How could you let these strangers into my bedroom?”
“I want to say to him: I’ve always tried to lift you higher, towards the light.
“You chose the darkest depths of human nature. You’re the one who made this choice.”
Ms Pelicot alleged that Dominique cooked meals for her before handing her drugged ice cream for dessert.
She said each time she would thank him as she thought of how lucky she was to have such a caring husband.
The 72-year-old also revealed that she had several clear signs of suffering gynaecological issues but never knew how to decode them so didn’t realise what they were from.
“I’ve been told I’m brave. This isn’t being brave, it’s having the will and determination to change society,” the inspiring gran added.
“Bravery means jumping into the sea to rescue someone. I just have will and determination.
“This is why I come here every day… Even if I hear unspeakable things, I am holding on because of all the men and women who are right behind me.”
She said she has never regretted asking for the trial to be open: “I did it because what happened to me can never happen again.”
Most of the defendants currently on trial deny raping Ms Pelicot.
They are arguing that they cannot be guilty because they didn’t realise she was unconscious and did not know they were raping her.
A verdict is expected in late December.
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HOW YOU CAN GET HELP:
Women’s Aid has this advice for victims and their families:
- Always keep your phone nearby.
- Get in touch with charities for help, including the Women’s Aid live chat helpline and services such as SupportLine.
- If you are in danger, call 999.
- Familiarise yourself with the Silent Solution, reporting abuse without speaking down the phone, instead dialing “55”.
- Always keep some money on you, including change for a pay phone or bus fare.
- If you suspect your partner is about to attack you, try to go to a lower-risk area of the house – for example, where there is a way out and access to a telephone.
- Avoid the kitchen and garage, where there are likely to be knives or other weapons. Avoid rooms where you might become trapped, such as the bathroom, or where you might be shut into a cupboard or other small space.
If you are a victim of domestic abuse, SupportLine is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 6pm to 8pm on 01708 765200. The charity’s email support service is open weekdays and weekends during the crisis – [email protected].
Women’s Aid provides a live chat service – available weekdays from 8am-6pm and weekends 10am-6pm.
You can also call the freephone 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247.
