Gisèle Pelicot: “I need to go and see him to get answers”
This is a blog by our Communications and Campaigns Manager, Keeva Baxter.
This week, Gisèle Pelicot appeared in her first UK interview on BBC Newsnight. Gisèle became a symbol of strength in 2024 when she waived her anonymity for the trial of her husband, Dominique Pelicot, who was accused of drugging and raping Gisèle, and inviting 70 other men into their home to rape and sexually abuse her too. Reflecting on her experience, Gisèle shared in the interview that she now wishes to see her husband face to face in order to seek answers about what happened.
Gisèle’s story
In September 2020, Dominique Pelicot was caught ‘upskirting’, filming underneath a woman’s clothes without consent, by a security guard in a supermarket. He told his wife, and the police began an investigation, seizing his devices.
Then, on the 2nd of November 2020, Gisèle was informed by the police that they suspected her husband had raped her, and was shown photographs of herself drugged, unconscious and being abused. Gisèle described the ‘tsunami’ of emotion that hit her as she realised the extent of the abuse she had experienced.
Initially, the police told Gisèle that they believed that 53 other men had been invited inside their home to rape her, but she later discovered that it was many more.
“I didn’t understand what was going on. I told myself that it was inconceivable that this man who shared my life could have committed these horrors.”
The trial of Dominique Pelicot and the other men who attacked her captured global attention and Gisèle made the brave and significant decision to waive her anonymity, opening the trial up to the public.
“I was a martyred woman, thrown as prey to all these individuals… I really am a survivor”
Dominique was found guilty and was given a sentence of 20 years in prison. Dominique is also being investigated for other crimes including rape, murder and attempted rape, as well as sexual offences against his daughter Caroline.
When asked whether she would ever see him again, Gisèle said “I haven’t had the opportunity to go and see him and I hope to do so, that’s also part of my way of rebuilding myself. I wasn’t able to speak directly with Mr Pelicot during the whole trial… so I think I need to go and see him to get answers. I don’t know if I’ll get them but, face to face, I hope he’ll be able to give me the answers I’m still seeking particularly about his daughter and about the cold cases.”
How can Restorative Justice support survivors of sexual and domestic violence?
Many survivors of domestic and sexual violence are left with questions about what happened to them. They may want to explain the harm that has been caused or ensure that it doesn’t happen to anyone else. Like Gisèle, concern about there being other victims of the same perpetrator can be a driving force behind victims of crime seeking dialogue.
Being given the opportunity to ask these questions, and have a voice in a safe and managed environment can be transformative. Rather than having to have that conversation alone, in a high risk way (which some survivors do seek if they don’t have access to or knowledge of Restorative Justice), getting the support of professionals to seek those answers safely can change lives. For some, this might be a face to face meeting, but for others, writing a letter or passing a message through a professional might be more suitable. The entire process is shaped by the needs of the survivor and is subject to a continuous risk assessment that will ensure it is safe to go forward.
In her interview with Newsnight, Gisèle stated that “you go through hell in a courtroom”, highlighting how retraumatising the justice process can be for survivors. Many people who experience sexual violence choose not to report it for fear of the further trauma they may face in the reporting and court process. Whilst so many are denied meaningful justice through the traditional justice system, Restorative Justice offers something different – an opportunity to take their power back and get their voice heard.
The stories on our website are testament to how powerful the restorative process can be. Stella went through Restorative Justice after being ‘brutally raped’ by an acquaintance at a party. She later met the perpetrator in a face to face meeting.
“It’s really empowering to tell the person who assaulted you what happened in your words and how that impacted you in a safe space, without worrying they’re going to interrupt or say anything back. It’s a totally safe space where you know that your voice is heard and prioritised.”
As a result of the meeting, Stella said “I walked away feeling like a weight had been lifted off of my shoulders”.
Our guide on ‘Restorative Justice for survivors of Domestic and Sexual Violence’ outlines some of the barriers that survivors of these crime types face in accessing the services they need, and how Restorative Justice can support survivors’ ongoing recovery.
