In Avignon, a city renowned for its annual arts festival and historic papal legacy, a disturbing trial has commenced, drawing attention to a case that has deeply unsettled France. Dominique Pélicot, 71, and 50 other men stand accused of rape, with potential sentences of up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
The trial, which began on September 2, 2024, is expected to continue until December, taking place in the city that once served as the seat of the papacy from 1309 to 1377. The proceedings are unfolding in a specialized court for sexual violence cases, a relatively recent development in the French justice system implemented in 2019.
The case came to light in late 2020, nearly four years ago, when a security agent caught Pélicot taking inappropriate photographs in a supermarket. This incident led to a thorough investigation, revealing a disturbing pattern of alleged abuse spanning from 2011 to 2020.
Investigators uncovered evidence suggesting that Pélicot had been drugging his wife, Gisèle, and inviting men to sexually abuse her while she was unconscious. The couple had been married for 50 years and lived in a small town in Provence, a region famous for its lavender fields and Mediterranean climate.
The French legal system, which operates under civil law, allows for victims to be civil parties in criminal trials. In this case, Gisèle Pélicot, through her lawyer Stéphane Babonneau, has consented to be identified and requested a public trial.
The investigation revealed a complex system allegedly orchestrated by Pélicot over a decade. Men invited to the couple's home were reportedly required to follow strict rules, including removing their clothes in the kitchen and avoiding strong scents. They sometimes had to wait for extended periods for the drugs to take effect.
"She accepted that her name be published in the same way that she insisted that her trial be held in public."
The discovery of thousands of photographs and videos on Pélicot's devices led to the identification of numerous suspects. Over two years, authorities tracked down the majority of the 72 individuals they were seeking.
The trial will involve the defendants appearing in small groups before a panel of five judges, a standard practice in the French system for serious offenses. Pélicot is scheduled to speak next week, with testimonies from psychologists, psychiatrists, and computer experts also expected.
This case has highlighted the ongoing efforts in France to improve the handling of sexual assault cases. The country has implemented several measures in recent years, including the establishment of a national helpline for victims of sexual violence in 2018 and the raising of the age of consent from 13 to 15 in the same year.
As the trial progresses, it will undoubtedly continue to shock and disturb, while also serving as a stark reminder of the importance of addressing and preventing sexual violence in all its forms.