Table of Contents
- The Pelicot Case: A Landmark Trial in France
- The Appeal and the Contradiction
- Dominique Pelicot’s Damning Testimony
- What This Means for the Appeal
- A Case That Changed France’s Conversation on Consent
- Sources
The Pelicot Case: A Landmark Trial in France
In one of the most harrowing criminal cases in modern French history, Gisèle Pelicot, now 75, revealed in 2023 that her husband of over 40 years, Dominique Pelicot, had drugged her for nearly a decade—and invited dozens of strangers to rape her while she was unconscious.
The 2024 trial led to the conviction of Dominique Pelicot and 49 other men. Most received sentences between 5 and 12 years. But now, one of those convictions is under appeal—and the case has taken a dramatic turn.
The Appeal and the Contradiction
A man identified only as “Sébastien B.”—one of the convicted participants—is appealing his 8-year sentence, arguing he believed Gisèle Pelicot was a willing participant and had no knowledge she was drugged.
But during a hearing in Aix-en-Provence this week, that claim was directly contradicted by none other than Dominique Pelicot himself.
Dominique Pelicot’s Damning Testimony
Speaking from prison via video link, the 76-year-old ex-husband—who has admitted to orchestrating the entire scheme—stated clearly that Sébastien B. did know Gisèle was incapacitated.
“He saw her lying on the bed, unresponsive,” Pelicot told the court. “I told him she’d taken sleeping pills. He didn’t ask questions—he just joined in.”
This testimony directly undermines Sébastien B.’s defense, which hinges on the assertion that he believed the encounter was consensual. Under French law, consent cannot be given by someone who is unconscious or chemically impaired—a principle reinforced by reforms following the Pelicot case.
What This Means for the Appeal
Legal experts say the ex-husband’s statement could be pivotal. “If the court finds Pelicot credible—and he has no incentive to lie at this point—it severely weakens the appellant’s claim of ignorance,” said Dr. Élise Moreau, a criminal law professor at Sciences Po Paris.
Moreover, prosecutors reminded the court that Sébastien B. had exchanged explicit messages with Dominique beforehand, referring to Gisèle as “the sleeper”—a nickname used among the group to describe her drugged state.
“This wasn’t a misunderstanding,” said lead prosecutor Laurence Dubois. “It was a coordinated violation of a woman who couldn’t say no.”
A Case That Changed France’s Conversation on Consent
The Pelicot trial sparked national outrage and led to sweeping reforms in how France handles sexual violence. In 2024, the National Assembly passed the “Gisèle Law,” which explicitly defines consent as an active, conscious agreement—and strengthens penalties for drug-facilitated sexual assault.
Gisèle Pelicot, who has become a symbol of resilience, told French media last year: “I didn’t just survive for myself. I survived so no woman would be silenced like I was.”
Her courage has inspired thousands to come forward—and forced courts to confront uncomfortable truths about complicity, silence, and the myth of “implied consent.”
As this appeal unfolds, all eyes are on whether justice will hold firm—or falter under legal technicalities.
