On Monday, David Pelicot, 50, son of Gisele Pelicot delivered an emotional testimony, confronting his father and urging him to admit the full extent of his crimes. Addressing the court, David implored, “Tell the truth about what you did to my sister, who suffers every day and will for the rest of her life.”
David also referred to alleged inappropriate interactions between his father and one of his grandchildren, which Pelicot denied, claiming he had done “nothing” to them. When Dominique Pelicot attempted to apologize during the testimony, David firmly replied, “Never!”
His younger brother, Florian, 38, described their father as “the devil himself” and called for severe punishment.
Article Content
Daughter’s Testimony of Alleged Abuse
Earlier in the trial, their sister, who uses the pseudonym Caroline Darian, testified that she too believes she was abused by her father, although she lacks physical evidence. Now 45, Darian recounted her conviction that she had been drugged and assaulted, echoing her mother’s experience.
“In your disgusting files,” she told her father in court, “you don’t look at me like a father looks at his daughter. But you will never have the courage to tell the truth.” Darian, an author, wrote about her trauma in a 2022 memoir titled “Et j’ai cessé de t’appeler papa” (And I Stopped Calling You Dad).
Decades of Atrocity
During the trial, it was revealed that Dominique Pelicot had meticulously recorded the assaults and cataloged the footage. He has admitted to drugging and facilitating the rape of his wife but denies abusing his daughter. The home in Mazan, now infamously referred to as the “house of horrors,” was where the decade-long ordeal unfolded.
The defendants, aged 26 to 74, include men who claim they were unaware of the abuse, believing instead they were participating in consensual activities. Others admitted their guilt, with 14 facing charges of aggravated rape.
One co-defendant, Nicolas F., a 43-year-old journalist, confessed to participating in the abuse but claimed he had “lacked judgment.” He is also on trial for unrelated charges of possessing child pornography.
Gisele Pelicot, who has spoken publicly about her ordeal to encourage other survivors to come forward, is due to testify again this week. Under French law, she could have chosen to remain anonymous and have the trial held behind closed doors but opted for transparency to shed light on the abuse.
David described how the family worked to erase all traces of their father from their lives, moving their belongings out of the “house of horror” after learning of the atrocities. He said the trial should serve as a beacon for other victims of rape, adding, “I expect from this trial that these men, and that man in the dock, will be punished for the horrors they inflicted on my mother.”
The trial continues, with a verdict expected on December 20. Advocates across France have staged protests in support of Gisele and her family, demanding justice and stronger protections for victims of sexual violence.
This case has become a symbol of resilience for survivors and a reminder of the urgent need for societal change.
Peace Nero is a writer and blogger who loves to explore different topics of self-development. She shares her personal experiences in order to help people discover their true purpose in life.