Lionel Rodriguez, one of over 50 men accused of raping French woman Gisele Pelicot, issued a hollow apology in court on Thursday. Rodriguez, 44, admitted his role in the decade-long abuse orchestrated by Gisele’s husband, Dominique Pelicot, who drugged his wife and invited strangers to assault her while she was unconscious.
What They Are saying
Rodriguez, speaking directly to the now 72-year-old victim, expressed regret, saying, “I am sorry, I can only imagine the nightmare you’ve lived through… and I am part of this nightmare.” He went on to acknowledge that his apologies would never undo the trauma inflicted on her. But is saying “sorry” enough to erase the horror of what he did?
The chilling details of the case have triggered widespread protests across France, with many rallying in support of Gisele. The trial, which Gisele requested be held publicly to bring attention to her horrific ordeal, has shed light on the sheer scale of sexual violence that can exist behind closed doors.
Dominique Pelicot, the architect of this vile abuse, shamelessly confessed on Monday, telling the court, “I am a rapist, just like the others in this room.” He recruited the strangers online, luring them to his family home to rape his wife while she was knocked out by drugs he administered without her knowledge. It’s a story so grotesque, it’s hard to fathom how so many men, aged 26 to 74, from all walks of life, could participate in such a crime. And yet, here they are, exposed to the world.
Rodriguez is one of the few who has confessed. He admitted during the investigation and again in court that he raped Gisele Pelicot. But in a weak attempt to lessen his responsibility, he claimed that if he had known she wasn’t aware of what was happening, he wouldn’t have done it. “I should have checked that she was okay with it. I didn’t talk to her, so I could not get her consent. I feel guilty for what I did,” he said, as if asking for consent from an unconscious woman was ever an option.
Why It Matters
In what could only be described as a cowardly attempt to shift the blame, Rodriguez told the court that he acted on the instructions of Gisele’s husband, Dominique. Apparently, following orders was enough of a justification for him to continue with the assault.
The case has not only horrified France but attracted global attention. The idea that dozens of seemingly “ordinary” men could participate in such a horrific crime is a harsh reminder of the prevalence of sexual violence. Gisele’s story has become a symbol of the pervasive and deep-seated issue of consent and violence against women, making this trial much more than just another legal proceeding.
Bottom Line
As the trial continues, the world watches in horror and disbelief. Rodriguez’s apology, like so many others, rings void in the face of the unspeakable trauma Gisele Pelicot has endured. The real question remains, will justice ever be enough for the unimaginable suffering she’s faced at the hands of these men?
