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204: Husband Posts Online Ad Asking Strangers to Come SA His Wife & 72 Men Do it | Dominique & Gisele Pélicot

By 10 to LIFE

In this episode of SERIALously, the disturbing case of Dominique and Giselle Pélicot is explored. Their marriage involved years of financial struggles and hidden abuse, as it's revealed Dominique secretly drugged Giselle for over a decade, rendering her unconscious while inviting at least 52 men to sexually assault her.

The podcast summary details Dominique's methodical criminal activities, the network of accomplices involved, and Giselle's unimaginable trauma as she uncover the assaults. It examines the couple's family life and Giselle's courageous decision to testify against Dominique and the other defendants at trial, empowering other victims in the process.

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204: Husband Posts Online Ad Asking Strangers to Come SA His Wife & 72 Men Do it | Dominique & Gisele Pélicot

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204: Husband Posts Online Ad Asking Strangers to Come SA His Wife & 72 Men Do it | Dominique & Gisele Pélicot

1-Page Summary

Dominique and Giselle's marriage and family life

Dominique and Giselle met in Paris in 1971 when they were 19, marrying quickly at 21. They had three children together (Caroline, David, and Florian) and faced financial difficulties over the years, even divorcing in 2001 for financial reasons while continuing to live together, later remarrying. After retiring to southern France, Giselle began experiencing unexplained health issues like memory loss that doctors couldn't diagnose, unaware these were side effects from being drugged and sexually assaulted by Dominique.

Dominique's crimes against Giselle

Since 2012, Dominique had been secretly drugging Giselle, rendering her unconscious to allow multiple men to sexually assault her while he recorded the attacks, according to Annie Elise. The abuse spanned a decade from 2011 to 2020, involving at least 52 men assaulting Giselle thousands of times. Dominique meticulously documented everything, labeling files with dates and details like the names of those involved. Giselle was unaware of any of this due to the medication-induced blackouts.

Dominique's network of accomplices

Dominique was part of an online chat room where members discussed assaulting partners without consent. Through this, he invited other men to drug and assault an unconscious Giselle. 51 men were eventually indicted after the investigation revealed their involvement, with some assaulting her multiple times - the assailants included a range of community members like firefighters, ex-cops, and even neighbors. While some claimed ignorance or "games," others like Jean-Pierre tried blaming Dominique, though some did express remorse.

Giselle's courage

After the abuse was uncovered due to Dominique's secret recordings of other women, Giselle chose to publicly identify herself and testify against him and the other defendants to prevent such crimes and help empower other victims. Her children, like Caroline, have also testified about the family's trauma. The ongoing trial involves Dominique and 50 other defendants, with some continuing to make excuses. Yet Giselle remains steadfast, receiving public support as the trial is expected to continue until late 2024.

1-Page Summary

Additional Materials

Actionables

  • Educate yourself on the signs of drug-facilitated sexual assault by researching online resources from credible organizations like RAINN or WHO, which can help you recognize potential dangers for yourself and others.
  • Create a personal safety plan that includes check-ins with trusted friends or family when attending social gatherings, carrying emergency contact information, and knowing the location of the nearest hospital or police station.
  • Support survivors by volunteering at a local shelter or hotline, where you can provide empathy and assistance, or by donating to charities that focus on helping those affected by sexual assault and domestic violence.

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204: Husband Posts Online Ad Asking Strangers to Come SA His Wife & 72 Men Do it | Dominique & Gisele Pélicot

Dominique and Giselle's marriage and family life

Dominique and Giselle Pelleco's relationship started in a romantic fashion as they met in Paris in 1971, but their life together was filled with both love and complexity.

Dominique and Giselle were viewed as an ideal couple, but their marriage was not as perfect as it seemed.

The couple met in Paris in 1971 and got married two years later, going on to have three children together.

Dominique and Giselle met in a Paris region when they were just 19 years old. They married quickly, at the age of 21, and established a family with the birth of their three children: Caroline, David, and Florian.

While they faced some financial difficulties over the years, they always worked through them as a team.

The family had its share of financial challenges, yet Dominique and Giselle managed to maintain a stable home life for their children. They faced their economic challenges as a team, which included Giselle working and saving money for over 20 years.

In 2001, they got divorced for "financial reasons" but continued living together, eventually remarrying a few years later.

A unique twist in their life came about in 2001 when they divorced due to financial reasons but continued to share a home. This living arrangement showed the strength of their connection, and they remarried after a few years.

After retiring, Dominique and Giselle moved to the south of France to enjoy their golden years.

Upon retiring, Dominique and Giselle settled in Maison, a peaceful village in the south of France. Despite Dominique's real estate income being impacted by the 2008 financial crisis, Giselle's savings allowed them to purchase a beautiful home.

Giselle began experiencing mysterious health issues, including memory loss and disorientation, that doctors could not explain.

However, retirement brought unexpected challenges as Giselle sta ...

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Dominique and Giselle's marriage and family life

Additional Materials

Actionables

  • You can create a shared financial plan with your partner to navigate economic challenges together, similar to how a couple might tackle financial difficulties as a team. Start by setting a monthly date to review your finances, discuss any concerns, and adjust your budget. This can help you both stay on the same page and work collaboratively towards common financial goals.
  • Consider drafting a cohabitation agreement if you're in a non-traditional living situation, like living with an ex-partner. This document can outline financial responsibilities, living arrangements, and personal boundaries to ensure clarity and prevent misunderstandings. You don't need a lawyer to draft this; a simple, clear written agreement signed by both parties can suffice.
  • Engage in proactive health monitorin ...

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204: Husband Posts Online Ad Asking Strangers to Come SA His Wife & 72 Men Do it | Dominique & Gisele Pélicot

Dominique's crimes against Giselle, including the drugging and repeated assaults

Dominique's heinous acts against Giselle, stretching over a decade, involved drugging, recording, and facilitating repeated sexual assaults without her knowledge.

Dominique was secretly drugging Giselle with sleeping pills and anti-anxiety medication to render her unconscious.

Dominique had been preying on Giselle since 2012, culminating in his arrest in 2020 when DNA evidence linked him to an earlier attack on another victim, Estella, in 1999. Dominique filmed himself and others assaulting an unconscious Giselle over the years. Assailants adhered to a strict routine, such as warming their hands and avoiding scented products, to keep Giselle from waking.

He would then allow multiple men to sexually assault Giselle while she was incapacitated, recording the attacks.

Dominique instructed men to assault Giselle without using condoms. Annie Elise specifically mentioned that Giselle, drugged by her husband Dominique, was unconscious during these assaults, which were meticulously recorded. Investigations showed photos of Giselle appearing asleep during the sexual acts, confirming her unawareness. Dominique and another assailant, Jean-Pierre, would carry out assaults in a similar manner on another victim, Celia, as well.

Giselle had no knowledge of the assaults or the recordings, as the medications left her with complete blackouts.

Giselle was entirely unaware of the attacks and the recordings due to the medication-induced blackouts. Dominique's computer contained a folder labeled "Abuses" with thousands of photos and videos of a clearly unconscious Giselle. Up to 20,000 different pieces of media pointed to the abuse's duration and severity, documenting the long-term tragedy she endured.

The abuse spanned over a decade, from 2011 to 2020, and involved at least 52 different men.

Dominique meticulously documented the assaults, indicated by the detailed labeling of files, though the exact number of assailants is not mentioned in the content provided. The evidence suggested the abuse was widespread and systematic, including a range of assailants aged 25 to 70, highlighting the disturbing scope of Dominique's crimes. Law enforcement discovered extensive visual documentation of the acts that spanned nearly ten years.

Dominique meticulously documented the assaults, labeling the files on his computer with details like date ...

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Registered users get access to the Full Podcast Summary and Additional Materials. It’s easy and free!
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Dominique's crimes against Giselle, including the drugging and repeated assaults

Additional Materials

Actionables

  • Educate yourself on the signs of drug-facilitated sexual assault by reading up-to-date resources from credible organizations like RAINN or the World Health Organization. Understanding the indicators, such as unexplained memory loss or waking up in disarray, can help you recognize potential dangers for yourself or others.
  • Create a personal safety plan that includes check-ins with friends during nights out, carrying test strips for detecting drugs in drinks, and having a designated sober friend when attending social events. This plan can act as a preventive measure against situations similar to what was described.
  • Advocate for consent and boundaries ...

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204: Husband Posts Online Ad Asking Strangers to Come SA His Wife & 72 Men Do it | Dominique & Gisele Pélicot

Dominique's network of accomplices and the investigation

The case of Dominique's heinous crimes is both shocking and extensive. Dominique, through an online chat room, facilitated the sexual assault of Giselle by numerous men over a protracted period, leading to a significant investigation with startling findings.

He used this network to invite other men to their home to assault Giselle while she was unconscious.

Dominique's role in the abuse was buttressed by an online chat room where members exchanged methods and experiences of sexually assaulting their partners. It was through this community that Dominique not only found like-minded individuals but used the forum to broadcast his actions, showcasing his abuse of Giselle. The chat room also acted as a venue for Dominique to recruit men to participate in the assaults, which involved drugging Giselle into unconsciousness.

The investigation identified 51 men who were indicted for sexually assaulting Giselle, with some assaulting her multiple times.

The subsequent investigation led to the indictment of 51 men, not including a 52nd man who died before he could be arrested. The thoroughness of the investigation was highlighted by a significant report spanning 370 pages. Dominique's meticulous labeling of the assault files facilitated the identification of assailants, despite the investigation spanning two years. These assaults, which began in July 2011 and ended in October 2020, totaled 92 by 72 different men, Laying bare the systematic abuse Giselle endured.

The men involved in the assaults came from various backgrounds, including a firefighter, a former law enforcement officer, a soldier, and even a neighbor.

Many of the men initially claimed they thought Giselle was consenting or that they were part of a "game," but later admitted they knew she was unconscious.

These crimes spanned a cross-section of society, with the assailants including a diverse group of community members. The professionals, ranging from a firefighter to a former law enforcement officer to a soldier, misledly claimed they believed that the encounters we ...

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Dominique's network of accomplices and the investigation

Additional Materials

Actionables

  • Educate yourself on the signs of non-consensual behavior by reading articles or watching educational videos from credible sources like sexual assault prevention organizations. Understanding the difference between consensual and non-consensual interactions can help you recognize potentially harmful situations and intervene or provide support when necessary.
  • Start a conversation with friends or family about the importance of explicit consent, using everyday scenarios to illustrate points. For example, discuss how consent is not just about saying "yes" or "no," but also about ensuring that all parties are fully aware and agreeable to what's happening. This can lead to a deeper understanding of consent in your community.
  • Practice setting clear personal ...

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204: Husband Posts Online Ad Asking Strangers to Come SA His Wife & 72 Men Do it | Dominique & Gisele Pélicot

Giselle's courage and the ongoing trial

Giselle has taken a stand by publicly identifying herself and testifying in a trial involving Dominique and a number of other defendants, demonstrating her fortitude and commitment to justice.

Giselle decided to publicly identify herself and testify against Dominique and the other men involved in the case.

She wanted to give a voice to other women who may have experienced similar traumas and prevent such crimes from happening again.

Giselle made the choice to go public with the trial and her identity to empower other women who have suffered similar experiences and encourage them to come forward. Her hope is to provide a voice for those who may feel compelled to remain silent due to shame or fear. She bravely left Dominique, filed for divorce, and the divorce was finalized on the first day of his trial on September 2, 2024.

Giselle's children, including her daughter Caroline, have also bravely testified about the impact of Dominique's actions on their family.

Giselle's resolution has been supported by her children, including her daughter Caroline, who courageously testified about the trauma inflicted upon their family. Caroline shared a disturbing incident when she found pictures of herself drugged, suspecting she might have been sexually assaulted.

The trial, which involves Dominique and 50 other defendants, is ongoing and expected to last until the end of 2024.

Many of the defendants have continued to make excuses and shift blame, rather than taking full responsibility for their actions.

The trial involves Dominique, Jean-Pierre, and 49 other defendants. While Lionel expressed regret for his involvement, apologizing directly to Giselle, and Jacques similarly admitted guilt, not all defendants have shown such remorse.

Despite the ...

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Giselle's courage and the ongoing trial

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • The trial involving Giselle, Dominique, and other defendants began on September 2, 2024. Giselle decided to publicly identify herself and testify against the defendants. The trial is expected to last until the end of December ...

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