Gisèle Pelicot's Harrowing Ordeal Detailed in New Memoir
Brave Frenchwoman Gisèle Pelicot has courageously shared her devastating story in a powerful new memoir, A Hymn to Life: Shame has to Change Sides. The book reveals how her depraved husband, Dominique Pelicot, subjected her to escalating sexual violence, particularly after a shocking incident in 2020.
A Decade of Brutal Abuse and Legal Reckoning
In December 2024, Dominique Pelicot was sentenced to 20 years in prison for drugging and raping Gisèle over a brutal ten-year period. The court heard how he invited approximately 50 men into their marital bedroom to sexually assault her while she was unconscious. A total of 400 years in jail was handed to 50 other defendants connected through a vile online chatroom, all acting without Gisèle's knowledge.
The trial at Vaucluse Criminal Court in Avignon saw Gisèle, now 73, waive her right to anonymity, declaring "shame must change sides". Her bravery made her an icon for sexual assault survivors globally.
Escalation Following Husband's Arrest
Gisèle's memoir details how the abuse intensified after Dominique was arrested in 2020 for upskirting women in a local supermarket. Following his release on bail, he dramatically increased the frequency of rapes against her. She writes: "He must have known they would be his last; [that] the police would have found his photographs and videos. I would never again be the plaything of his barbaric fantasies."
A subsequent search of their family home in Mazan, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, uncovered over 20,000 videos and pictures of the abuse on Dominique's laptop. Files were stored under disturbing names including 'Abuses', 'her rapists', and 'night alone'. Another file titled "Around my daughter, naked" contained images of their daughter, Caroline Darian.
Family Trauma and Health Consequences
Gisèle described the heartbreaking moment she told her children about the abuse: "When I told my daughter, she screamed like a wild beast. I will never forget this. When I told my sons about this, I don't think they really understood; they were withdrawn and didn't react much." Her sons initially responded with disbelief, saying "Don't say such silly things."
The physical toll has been severe. As a result of the rapes, Gisèle was diagnosed with HPV, a group of viruses that can lead to cancer. Abnormal cells were discovered on her cervix, requiring a biopsy and partial removal.
Finding Hope and New Love
Despite the trauma, Gisèle has found happiness with a new partner named Jean-Loup. In an interview with Vogue, she shared: "If anyone had told me that I'd find love at this age, I'd never have believed it. The love of my grandchildren, yes, but the love of another man – I hadn't even considered it."
She encourages other women: "I'm saying: 'No, ladies, we still have a right to happiness. I am proof that anything is possible.'" Reflecting on her experience, Gisèle added: "I think you never really know another person, because Monsieur Pelicot was split in two. We must all have a part of us that's in shadow."
The English edition of A Hymn to Life: Shame has to Change Sides is scheduled for publication on February 17, offering a testament to resilience and justice.
