Husband Allegedly Drugged Wife, Invited HIV+ Man and Others to Rape Her: “He Showed No Pity”

In a shocking trial, Gisele Pelicot testified against her husband Dominique, who allegedly drugged her and invited men, including an HIV-positive attacker, to rape her. Dominique encouraged the attackers not to use protection during the assaults. Gisele believed she had Alzheimer’s due to memory loss but later discovered the truth when Dominique was arrested in 2020.

In a disturbing trial in France, 72-year-old Gisele Pelicot took the stand to testify against her husband, Dominique Pelicot, who allegedly drugged her and invited strangers over the internet to rape her. Among the alleged attackers, one man was reportedly HIV-positive and raped her more than six times. Dominique not only facilitated the assaults but allegedly encouraged the men not to use protection during the attacks.

In her emotional statement, Gisele revealed that she feared for her life, yet no one showed mercy. “Not once did Mr. Pélicot say to himself, ‘I’ve gone too far.’ He showed no pity, no pity at all,” she said during the proceedings. She also expressed relief that she didn’t contract HIV from the attacker.

Excerpts from a book written by Gisele’s daughter, Caroline Darian, titled And I Stopped Calling You Daddy, were read in court. The book reveals that Dominique instructed the men not to wear protection while assaulting his drugged wife. Caroline, now a 40-year-old mother, shared her account of the traumatic experiences endured by her family.

Gisele explained that she experienced severe memory loss on two occasions in 2011 and 2013, which led her to believe she had Alzheimer’s. She even confronted Dominique, asking him if he was drugging her. His response was manipulative, as he broke down in tears and denied the accusation.

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Gisele and Dominique met in 1971, marrying two years later. The abuses allegedly began in 2011 without Gisele’s knowledge. The truth came to light when Dominique was arrested in 2020 for secretly filming under women’s skirts. Police discovered hundreds of videos and images of Gisele unconscious, revealing the horrific extent of the assaults. Dominique had also used a now-defunct website to enlist men for these acts.