The Trial of Gisèle Pelicot’s Rapists United France and Fractured Her Family

The New Yorker

by Rachel Aviv

February 15, 2026

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Gisèle Pelicot, a sixty-seven-year-old woman from Provence, found herself at the center of a shocking legal drama when her husband, Dominique, was accused of drugging and raping her with the help of over fifty men. Despite her initial support for him, Gisèle ultimately supported his arrest after graphic evidence emerged, including photos and Skype conversations that revealed his dark secret. This trial not only exposed the disturbing dynamics within their marriage but also thrust Gisèle into the spotlight as a feminist hero, challenging societal norms around power, control, and accountability in relationships. The couple had been married for nearly fifty years and lived in a picturesque village in Provence. Dominique’s arrest began with a routine police encounter after he was caught using his phone to film women at a supermarket. However, the investigation quickly escalated when authorities discovered that Dominique had been drugging Gisèle for years to facilitate sexual encounters with other men. The revelation shocked their family and friends, particularly their children, who struggled to reconcile their parents’ public image with the disturbing reality of their private lives. Gisèle’s response to these allegations was complex. Initially, she defended her husband, even going so far as to encourage him to seek therapy. However, after being confronted with concrete evidence—photographs and messages that documented his actions—she realized the gravity of the situation and decided to press charges. Dominique eventually confessed to using sleeping pills to manipulate Gisèle, acknowledging how he had destroyed their family and his own sense of self-worth. The trial highlighted the often-hidden dynamics of abuse within relationships and raised questions about accountability and forgiveness. The case has sparked broader cultural conversations about power imbalances in intimate partnerships and the challenges of confronting such traumas. It also underscores the importance of recognizing and addressing hidden forms of abuse, even within seemingly stable and long-term

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Originally published on The New Yorker on 2/15/2026