The trial of Dominique Pélicot and 50 other men accused of systematically raping Gisèle Pélicot over a decade continues to unfold in Avignon, France, with shocking new testimonies from family members. Caroline Darian, the daughter of the accused, took the stand to describe her father as ‘one of the greatest sex predators of the last 20 years’. Darian expressed her devastation upon learning about the abuse, stating, ‘I loved my father, I loved the image of the man I thought I knew’.The trial has revealed disturbing new details about the extent of the abuse. Gisèle Pélicot contracted four sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis, due to the lack of protection used by the perpetrators. The victim herself testified earlier, describing the moment she discovered the truth: ‘My world collapsed, everything I built over 50 years was crumbling’.Both Darian and Gisèle Pélicot’s daughter-in-law raised concerns about potential abuse of other family members, including grandchildren. These revelations have deepened the horror of the case, which has shocked France and sparked discussions about consent and the use of drugs in sexual abuse.In an unrelated but equally disturbing development, new allegations of sexual violence have surfaced against the late Abbé Pierre, founder of the Emmaüs charity. At least 17 additional people have come forward with accusations dating from the 1950s to the 2000s, including cases of unwanted touching, forced kisses, and more serious allegations of rape and sexual contact with a child.In response to these allegations, the Abbé Pierre Foundation has announced it will change its name, and Emmaüs France will remove the ‘Fondateur Abbé Pierre’ mention from its logo. The memorial site dedicated to Abbé Pierre in Normandy will be permanently closed. These actions reflect the gravity of the situation and the organizations’ commitment to supporting victims of abuse.
Key points
- Caroline Darian, daughter of the accused Dominique Pélicot, testified against her father, calling him ‘one of the greatest sex predators of the last 20 years’.
- New concerns have been raised about potential abuse of other family members, including grandchildren.
- At least 17 new allegations of sexual violence have been made against the late Abbé Pierre, founder of Emmaüs charity.
- The Abbé Pierre Foundation and Emmaüs France are taking significant actions in response to the allegations, including changing names and closing memorial sites.
