Warning: This story contains descriptions of sexual abuse
PARIS: Caroline Darian, daughter of Gisèle Pelicot, has spoken out about her family’s dark history. Gisèle endured years of horrific abuse at the hands of her then-husband, Dominique Pelicot, and others.
In an interview with the BBC, Darian shared her anguish about being the child of both a victim and a perpetrator. She revealed her wish for her father, now 72, to remain imprisoned for life.
51 Convicted in Mass Rape Case
Last month, a trial concluded with 51 convictions that shocked France. Dominique and 49 other men were found guilty of raping Gisèle.
The case exposed pervasive misogyny and systemic sexual violence in France. It has ignited calls for action on gender-based violence.
Darian’s Unimaginable Discovery
Darian recounted receiving a life-changing phone call from her mother in November 2020. Gisèle confessed that Dominique had been drugging her for a decade to facilitate abuse.
“I lost my normal life that day,” Darian told the BBC. Soon after, police contacted Darian with unsettling evidence from Dominique’s laptop.
Disturbing Images and Deep Suspicion
The laptop contained images of Darian unconscious, wearing only a T-shirt and underwear. She didn’t initially recognize herself in them.
Darian strongly believes her father drugged and possibly raped her too. “But I don’t have proof,” she lamented.
This lack of evidence, she said, mirrors the struggles of many victims. “They’re ignored, disbelieved, and left unsupported,” Darian added.
Confronting Her Father in Court
In court, Dominique denied abusing Darian. But she described him as “one of the worst predators in decades.”
During the trial, she angrily shouted at him, saying: “You’ll die alone like a dog!” media outlets reported.
Darian’s Memoir and Her Message
Darian wrote a memoir, I’ll Never Call Him Dad Again, documenting her family’s trauma. It addresses the concept of “chemical submission.”
The same method was used by Dominique to drug Gisèle and exploit her body. Darian now sees her father solely as a “criminal.”
Speaking to the BBC, Darian urged better support for victims and stronger measures to combat abuse.
