Gisèle Pelicot, a name now synonymous with one of France's most shocking and extensive rape trials, has broken her silence in a profound interview with BBC Newsnight. Ahead of the release of her memoir, "A Hymn To Life," Ms. Pelicot, 73, has shared the harrowing details of her discovery and her ongoing journey towards healing and truth, revealing a resilience that has captivated and inspired.
A Tsunami of Horror
The revelation that her husband, Dominique Pelicot, had for years repeatedly drugged her to the point of unconsciousness and then invited dozens of men to rape her, was an experience Ms. Pelicot describes as a "tsunami." In the interview, conducted at the opulent Hôtel de Ville in Paris, a stark contrast to the sterile courtrooms where she last appeared publicly, she recounted the moment her world imploded. It began innocuously enough, with her accompanying her husband to a police station regarding an unrelated matter of secretly filming women's underwear in a supermarket.
The Unveiling of a Nightmare
A routine questioning took a terrifying turn when a police officer, sensing something amiss, began asking Ms. Pelicot increasingly disturbing questions about her husband and their marital life. The officer's cryptic warning, "I am about to show you something you won't like," preceded the viewing of two photographs that would shatter her reality. The images depicted a lifeless woman on a bed, surrounded by unknown men. "I didn't recognise myself," Ms. Pelicot stated, her voice steady yet tinged with the echo of past shock. "This woman was lying on the bed as if she were dead. There are men next to her. I didn't understand who they were. I'd never met them."
The officer revealed that the photos were from thousands of videos her husband had meticulously recorded of her while she was drugged and subjected to repeated sexual assaults by dozens of men. Despite her husband's systematic cataloguing of these horrific acts, many perpetrators remain unidentified, a fact that fuels Ms. Pelicot's persistent quest for answers.
The Painful Confession and Family Fallout
The immediate aftermath was a blur of disbelief and dawning horror. Advised by police not to be alone, Ms. Pelicot returned home in a daze. The act of putting words to her husband's crimes – specifically, using the word "rape" – was itself a monumental step, occurring after five hours of intense police questioning. "I told her: 'Dominique is in custody because he raped me and had me raped.' That's when I used the word rape," she recalled.
Breaking the News to Her Children
Perhaps the most agonizing part of this ordeal was informing her three adult children – David, Caroline, and Florian – about their father's monstrous betrayals. Ms. Pelicot described these phone calls as the "toughest experience of my life." She vividly remembers her daughter Caroline's "almost inhuman" scream and her eldest son David's shock. Her youngest, Florian, immediately focused on her well-being, a testament to their shared trauma and concern for their mother. The children, upon arriving to support her, engaged in a desperate act of erasure, destroying family belongings and photo albums in an attempt to rid their lives of Dominique Pelicot's presence. Ms. Pelicot, watching this, felt her own life was in ruins, with only her children remaining.
Reclaiming Her Narrative and Seeking Closure
Ms. Pelicot has never regretted her decision to waive her legal right to anonymity, choosing instead to confront her trauma publicly and advocate for other victims. This courageous act has allowed her to reclaim her narrative and, importantly, to seek answers. Even with her ex-husband serving a 20-year prison sentence, Ms. Pelicot still harbours unanswered questions she wishes to pose to "Mr. Pelicot."
Her memoir, "A Hymn To Life," is more than just an account of abuse; it is a testament to her enduring spirit and a beacon of hope for those who have suffered similar horrors. It chronicles her "descent into hell" but also her arduous climb back towards wholeness. The book promises to offer a deeper insight into the psychological toll of such profound betrayal and the strength required to rebuild a life from the ashes.
A Call for Awareness and Support
Gisèle Pelicot's story is a stark reminder of the hidden darkness that can exist within seemingly ordinary lives and the devastating impact of sexual violence. Her willingness to share her experience, despite the immense personal cost, underscores the critical need for societal awareness, robust support systems for survivors, and a justice system that prioritizes truth and accountability. Her voice, now amplified, serves as a powerful anthem for life, resilience, and the unwavering pursuit of justice.
