Sexual abuse and justice: The Avignon trial that shocked France
On Tuesday, Dominique Pelicot testified in front of a court in Avignon. The 71-year-old is accused of administering intoxicating substances to his wife and encouraging other men to rape her. Pelicot admitted his guilt, stating: "I am a rapist just like all the others in this room."
The trial, which has been ongoing since 2 September, involves 49 people aged 26 to 74, nearly all of whom face rape charges. They could face up to 20 years in prison.
The indictment indicates that from 2011, for 10 years, Pelicot administered psychotropic drugs to his wife, then raped her and offered her for sex to other men he contacted through the internet.
During Tuesday's hearing, Pelicot asked for forgiveness from his family – his wife, children, and grandchildren. He emphasised that he himself was a victim of rape in his childhood and was forced to participate in a gang rape as a teenager.
At the start of the trial, his wife Giselle Pelicot emphasized the significance of the proceedings for her, noting that she had already been affected and explaining her request for public hearings.
The trial is particularly significant in France due to issues of rape and the use of chemical substances. The case also highlights the need for changes in legal regulations, which currently do not include the lack of consent in the definition of rape. Questions are being raised about the ability of doctors to detect crimes, as the victim – Giselle Pelicot – had repeatedly reported health problems.
On Saturday, feminist organisations held demonstrations in 30 cities across France in support of Giselle Pelicot. The trial has drawn international media attention, including from the press in India, where similar cases are very common.
