The woman at the centre of a rape trial that’s shocked France has spoken in court for the first time, saying she can’t comprehend how the “perfect man” has destroyed her life.
Gisele Pelicot, 72, was sedated and raped by her former husband Dominique Pelicot.
For almost a decade, he crushed sleeping pills and other anti-anxiety drugs into her food and drink and allegedly recruited men online to rape her.
He’s already admitted the charges for the crimes, carried out between 2011 and 2020, and said he organised men to come to the house and rape her while she was comatose.
Supported by family, Gisele was applauded as she arrived at court on Wednesday.
She spoke directly to her ex-husband during the testimony
“I still don’t understand how this man who was the perfect man could do this, could destroy my life and betray me,” she said.
“I haven’t been able look Dominique Pelicot in the face – but today I talk to him,” she said as part of a statement at the mid-point of the trial.
“We have 50 years together. I was a happy wife; we have three kids and seven grandkids.
“You were a good husband and a good man, and I trusted you. I never doubted you,” she said, beginning to cry.
But this good man, she told the court, was responsible for her being raped 100 times.
She expressed anger and disbelief that he had allowed people into their bedroom when she knew she was against swinging.
Demonstrations in support of Gisele Pelicot have been taking place. Pic: AP
When she became sick, he had accompanied her to the gynaecologist, she told the court. She said nobody suspected a thing.
“My life has been turned upside down You chose to do this,” she told him.
The judge asked about their mealtime routine, referring to evidence that Dominique Pelicot had slipped drugs into her food.
Gisele Pelicot said he made lots of meals and often brought her ice cream afterwards.
“I thought ‘wow’, I’m lucky to have a husband who looks after me like this,” she told the court, explaining she was totally unaware the food was drugged.
She said she must have fallen asleep quickly, as she often woke up tired and in her pyjamas.
If she was raped in the day, she said her husband must have drugged her orange juice.
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During questioning, she was asked if she thought her ex-husband had acted out of vengeance.
She said she’d considered he might have been trying to punish her after she had a lover once in their relationship around 30 years ago.
Ms Pelicot also said her former husband had talked about mistresses.
Forty-nine of the 51 men on trial, including Dominique Pelicot, are accused of rape, one of attempted rape and one of sexual assault.
A few of them admit the charges but say they didn’t intend to commit rape.
Most deny the allegations, some claiming they believed they were part of a game between the couple.
The men are aged between 26 and 74 and most lived in southeast France. Among them are a journalist, soldier and lorry driver.
They face up to 20 years in jail if convicted.
Gisele Pelicot has waived her right to anonymity to ensure the evidence is heard in public, saying that “shame must change sides”.
People across France have gathered for demonstrations in her name to show their support.
The trial is expected to continue until the end of the year.