The impact on safety in Paris: Gisèle Pelicot

The shocking case against Dominique Pelicot

In France, a trial is ongoing where the defense is shocking !

Dominique Pelicot, drugged his wife Gisèle Pelicot, for ten years and allowed about eighty men to come by repeatedly to rape her. As the article in Le Monde* states: “200 times, men aged 26 to 74, all of whom deny the rape and claim they thought they were participating in the scenario of a couple where Gisèle Pelicot simulated sleep and consented.”

Legal definistion of rape

In French criminal law, rape is defined as “any act of sexual penetration, of any kind, committed on someone by means of violence, coercion, threat, or surprise” (Article 222-23 of the French Penal Code).

The perpetrator must have had the intention to commit this act, meaning there must be intent. This means the perpetrator acted knowingly, aware that there was no consent from the victim. The intentional nature of the act itself must be proven.

The defense argues: “Without the intent to rape, there is no rape.”
A disturbing distortion of legal and moral responsibility in France.

The Netherlands is working on modernizing the legislation surrounding sexual violence. In 2020, a bill was introduced that focuses more on the absence of explicit consent. In other words, an “affirmative consent” model, where the focus is not only on coercion or violence but also on whether clear consent was given.

The supportsystems of victims of sexual abuse in Paris

I know several women in Paris who have been raped on a date. I will spare you the details; they are horrific! It leaves deep wounds, both mental and physical. Late at night, they seek help from friends in the dark. Unaware of what to do. Blaming themselves, thinking they could have prevented it.

They endure it in silence, out of fear. Or they go to the hospital and the police together. These women are vulnerable (they don’t always speak the language, don’t know the legal system, don’t have housing, money, can’t talk about it with relatives etc.) and deserve all the support. This is partly why women unite here in Paris, form communities, seek friends, and there are secret app groups where they warn and support each other. Trésors de Paris is one of these communities. Visit the site Women for women to report domestic abuse.

Download the Trésors de Paris app for Android to stay connected

The broader implications of the Pelicot case

What shocks me is that these rapists have the law on their side.
A systemic error that traumatizes victims and raises the societal question of justice.

So, this is not only a trial about the atrocities this woman had to endure. It is about the protection of the vulnerable, whether women, men, or children.

I hope this trial will be a call for a review of how our society and legal systems deal with rape and sexual violence. 🙏

Source photo & article: Le Monde

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