Trial Begins for French Man Accused of Orchestrating Wife’s Rape by Dozens Over a Decade

The trial of Dominique P., a 71-year-old French man accused of drugging his wife Gisèle P. and allowing dozens of men to rape her over a decade, began on Monday in Avignon, France. The case, which has shocked the nation, involves 51 defendants, aged 26 to 74, who allegedly participated in 92 rapes between 2011 and 2020.In a significant development, the court, led by Judge Roger Arata, rejected requests for a closed trial, honoring the victim’s wish for full public disclosure. Gisèle P., now 72, who has no memory of the abuse, is attending the trial with her three children. Her lawyer, Stéphane Babonneau, stated, ‘My client wants what she has experienced to be exposed. She doesn’t have to hide, she wants what she has experienced in its entirety to be exposed’.The defendants, who include a firefighter, a nurse, a prison guard, and a journalist, were allegedly recruited by Dominique P. through a now-banned website. Many claim they believed they were participating in consensual fantasies, but prosecutors argue that all were aware of Gisèle P.’s drugged state.Dominique P. has admitted to administering powerful anxiolytics to his wife without her knowledge and filming the assaults. His lawyer, Béatrice Zavarro, said, ‘He is ashamed of what he did, it’s unforgivable’.The trial, expected to last until December 20, may not be Dominique P.’s last legal battle. He faces additional charges for a 1991 murder and rape, and a 1999 attempted rape. Each defendant faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted.As the trial opened, feminist activists protested outside the courthouse, holding signs that read ‘We see you, rapists’ and ‘We believe the victims’. The case has ignited a national debate on chemical submission and consent in sexual assault cases.

Key points

• The trial of Dominique P.

and 51 co-defendants for the alleged rape of his wife Gisèle P.

has begun in Avignon, France.

• The court decided to hold public hearings, honoring the victim’s wish for full disclosure.
• Dominique P.

faces additional charges for a 1991 murder and rape, and a 1999 attempted rape.

• The case has sparked national debate on chemical submission and consent in sexual assault cases.

Contradictions👾Some defendants claim they believed they were participating in consensual fantasies, while prosecutors argue that all were aware of Gisèle P.

‘s drugged state.