
In a chilling case that has sent shockwaves across France, Dominique Pelicot, a 72-year-old man, is accused of orchestrating the systematic rape of his wife, Gisele, with the help of dozens of men he met online.
Reffered to by many as “Monster of Avignon”, Pelicot allegedly sought out at least 50 individuals through a dating website, where he discussed sexual violence and solicited them to attack his wife.
According to police reports obtained by CNN, Gisele was drugged by Pelicot and subjected to over 200 rapes by 70 men, all of whom were recruited via chatrooms, Skype, and text messages. These disturbing exchanges have become crucial evidence in the ongoing trial of Pelicot and his co-defendants, many of whom face charges of aggravated rape.
” I am looking for a pervert to rape my sleeping wife” Pelicot posted in a secret website under the psedo name “Available all Night” according to CNN
The case has sparked outrage in France, prompting a national conversation about the pervasive issue of male violence against women. Despite the closure of the website Pelicot used to enlist his accomplices, similar forums still exist, allowing discussions around sexual abuse to continue unchecked.
Pelicot was an active participant in a forum called “without her knowledge” on Coco.fr, a platform notorious for glorifying sexual violence. Over nearly a decade, he meticulously organized the abuse, attracting men from various backgrounds, including firefighters, journalists, and nurses, all living within 50 kilometers of the Pelicot household.
Many of the accused argued in court that they believed Dominique Pelicot’s claim that they were participating in a libertine fantasy, in which his wife had consented to sexual contact and was only pretending to be asleep.

Dominique Pelicot has been on trial in the city of Avignon since September with 50 other co accused men for organising the rapes Gisele Pelicot, now his former wife. The verdict is expected on Thursday 19th December 2024.
As the trial unfolds, the horrifying details of this case serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need to address and combat systemic violence against women in society.
The community watches closely as justice is sought for Gisele and a reckoning for those involved in this gruesome saga. French prosecutors have demanded a maximum 20-year jail term for the man and his co accused.