A 71-year-old man, Dominique Pelicot, is on trial in France accused of drugging his wife and orchestrating the rape of her by dozens of strangers over nearly a decade. The case, which has shocked the nation, involves Pelicot allegedly offering his wife for sex on a website and filming the assaults.
Fifty men, ranging in age and background, are also on trial for participating in the rapes, which occurred at the couple’s home in Mazan, southern France. They face up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
Pelicot’s wife was unaware of the abuse until police informed her four years ago, due to the effects of the drugs. The case came to light after police discovered thousands of images and videos of the abuse on Pelicot’s phone, initially investigating him for filming under women’s skirts in a supermarket.
The trial, which began on Monday and is expected to continue until December, will be public, a decision made by the victim to raise awareness about sexual abuse and drug-induced blackouts. Despite the disturbing nature of the evidence, the victim and her lawyers hope the trial will shift the stigma surrounding such crimes.
Beatrice Zavarro, Pelicot’s lawyer, confirmed that he admits to the charges.
