Dominique Pelicot, previously convicted of drugging and raping his wife, Gisèle Pelicot, now faces further allegations from his daughter, Caroline Darian. Darian has filed a legal complaint accusing her father of drugging and sexually abusing her over a period of ten years. The allegations add a new dimension to a case already marked by shocking revelations and a high-profile trial.
In 2022, Dominique Pelicot was sentenced to 20 years in prison for his crimes against Gisèle Pelicot. Gisèle, who insisted on a public trial for her ex-husband, became a feminist icon for her courage in seeking justice. During the earlier proceedings, Pelicot was also found guilty of taking indecent images of Darian, which invaded her privacy. However, he was not charged with drugging or sexually abusing her at that time.
Darian's legal complaint alleges that her father sedated and sexually assaulted or raped her while she was in her 30s, from 2010 to 2020. In a statement to Agence France-Presse, she expressed frustration that the initial investigation did not adequately address her allegations. She cited photos taken by Pelicot as evidence, showing her unconscious on a bed in unfamiliar underwear and positions.
"I know you abused me. You don’t have the courage to tell me." – Caroline Darian
During the initial investigation, Pelicot was convicted alongside 50 other men — including a nurse, soldier, journalist, and prison warden — for rape and sexual assault charges. These men were reportedly invited by Pelicot to rape his drugged wife, highlighting the extent of his criminal actions.
Darian's lawyer, Florence Rault, emphasized the need for thorough investigation into these new allegations against Pelicot, calling for "serious and detailed investigations" to ensure justice is served.
"Yes, he denied it, but he also lied several times and gave different versions of the story during the two and a half years of the investigation." – Darian
Pelicot's lawyer, Beatrice Zavarro, remarked that Darian's complaint was expected since similar allegations had emerged during the trial. The complexity and severity of the accusations call for meticulous scrutiny as the legal proceedings continue.