Gisèle Pelicot, who was drugged by her husband with dozens of men accused of raping her, has emerged as a defiant public voice for victims of sexual abuse in France.

Gisèle Pelicot, 72, struck a defiant note during her testimony Wednesday as defense lawyers raised doubts about whether she was fully unconscious during the alleged rapes by dozens of men over a decade, suggesting she may have consented to the repeated assaults orchestrated by her former husband, Dominique Pelicot, 71.

“I have felt humiliated," an outraged Gisèle Pelicot said of the arguments alleging she was an alcoholic or being her ex-husband’s co-conspirator. “In the state I was in, I absolutely could not respond. I was in a comatose state; the videos show that.”

At least 83 men were recorded on video and photos assaulting an unconscious Pelicot; 50 of them have been identified and are currently on trial accused of raping her, which many of them deny. Two defense lawyers for some of the men had asked the court to display photos which they said raised doubts whether the victim was aware of what was happening to her.

Many of the defendants deny raping Pelicot. Some claim they were tricked by her husband, others say they believed she was consenting and others argue that her husband’s consent was sufficient.

  • JohnEdwa
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    3 months ago

    The comments the husband has given are fairly good proof at least some, probably most, were fucked up and knowingly raping a drugged up woman that didn’t have a clue it was happening. But with so many doing it, I do wonder if some of them honestly thought she was in on it.