For almost ten years, a man residing in the southern region of France has been accused of using the internet to enlist unfamiliar individuals to sexually assault his wife, Gisele P., after administering anxiety medicine to her. He and 50 co-defendants, consisting of government servants and firefighters, will face trial starting Monday in an Avignon court. The trial is anticipated to span over several months.
From 2011 to 2020, Dominique P., a 71-year-old ex-employee of the power supplier EDF, reportedly encouraged over 70 men to sexually assault his wife while she was unconscious at their residence.
Out of 72 individuals suspected, 50 have been positively identified and are currently undergoing legal proceedings. They might potentially be sentenced to a maximum of 20 years in imprisonment.
The individuals include civil servants, soldiers, firefighters, jail guards, truck drivers, journalists, and municipal councillors.
The individuals, ranging in age from 21 to 68 at the time, were enlisted through an internet-based sexual forum known as “Without Her Knowing”.
The unidentified victim, a woman in her early 70s, will be present at the trial to confront her accused attackers for the first time.
As to her attorney, she has no recollection of the sexual assaults and became aware of what had occurred to her only when her spouse was apprehended.
Dominique P. was apprehended in September 2020 for surreptitiously employing a pen equipped with a concealed camera to covertly observe women in dressing rooms at a shopping centre located in the town of Carpentras.
During the search of his residence in a neighbouring hamlet, law enforcement discovered multiple recordings and photographs depicting his wife in an unconscious state, frequently in a curled-up position, being sexually assaulted by various individuals.
The photographs discovered on his mobile device and personal computer enabled law enforcement to ascertain 92 instances of sexual assault committed by 72 individuals.
Dominique P. asserts that it was common knowledge that his wife was being administered drugs without her will.
Drugging and raping women is a heinous and deeply traumatic crime that violates a person’s autonomy and dignity. Perpetrators often use substances to incapacitate their victims, rendering them unable to resist or even recall the assault. This act not only strips the victim of their ability to consent but also creates severe and lasting psychological damage. Victims may suffer from intense feelings of fear, shame, and helplessness, compounded by the physical effects of the drugs used.
The betrayal of trust and the invasion of personal boundaries can lead to long-term mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Moreover, the criminal nature of drugging and raping makes it particularly challenging for victims to seek justice, as the use of drugs can obscure evidence and complicate legal proceedings. The devastating impact on survivors underscores the need for solid legal measures, public awareness, and comprehensive support systems to address and prevent this form of sexual violence.