Caroline Darian, the daughter of Dominique and Gisèle Pelicot, is pressing charges against her father, accusing him of drugging and raping her—allegations he has consistently denied.
This comes after Dominique Pelicot was sentenced to 20 years in prison last December for drugging and raping his ex-wife, Gisèle, and orchestrating her abuse by dozens of men over nearly a decade.
Disturbing Evidence and Conflicting Explanations
Dominique Pelicot filmed the rapes of his wife, cataloging hundreds of videos on a hard drive. Among the files were two photos of his daughter, Caroline Darian, who claims she is unconscious in the images, wearing unfamiliar underwear.
Pelicot has offered conflicting explanations for the photos but denies sexually assaulting his daughter. Darian, however, believes the photos are proof of her father’s abuse.
The 16-week trial in Avignon, France, featured heated exchanges between Darian and her father. “I never touched you, never,” Pelicot pleaded, to which Darian shouted back, “You are lying!” Darian has described herself as the trial’s “forgotten victim,” as there is no concrete evidence of the abuse she believes and keeps reiterating that she endured.
Why Caroline Darian’s Fight For Justice Matters
Darian’s decision to press charges is symbolic but aligns with her long-standing claim of being a victim of chemical submission (drug-facilitated assault). She told a subsidiary of a popular fashion and entertainment magazine, Elle France,
“I am a victim of chemical submission but was never recognized as such.” Her lawyer, Florence Rault, is advocating for a fresh, in-depth investigation into the allegations.
Rault has a history of fighting for justice in cases involving drug-facilitated assaults. One such case involves Marion, a property agent who survived an attempted rape in 1999, which Pelicot has admitted to.
Another case involves a young estate agent who was raped and murdered in 1991; Pelicot is under investigation but denies involvement. Darian sees similarities between herself and Marion, noting their physical resemblance and shared experiences.
Rault’s Criticism of the Pelicot Investigation
Rault has criticized the investigation for focusing solely on Gisèle Pelicot and treating Darian as a “peripheral victim.” She has called for gynecological examinations and drug tests that were never conducted, urging authorities to take Darian’s claims seriously.
This case has drawn worldwide attention, especially due to Gisèle Pelicot’s decision to waive her anonymity and open the trial to the public and media. In December 2024, 49 men were sentenced alongside Dominique Pelicot for their roles in Gisèle’s abuse.
While 17 initially planned to appeal, seven have since withdrawn their appeals. Those who proceed will face trial in Nîmes, southern France, later this year.
