An uneasy tension settled over the packed courtroom in Avignon’s Palace of Justice when the chief judge, dressed in a bright red robe, delivered the unexpected news. The trial, which has been running throughout France, was about to be adjourned. Dominique Pellicot, one of 51 men accused in a shocking gang rape case, was too ill to attend court, leading to a sense of gloom among those present.
This case is no ordinary trial – it has roiled a small French village and sparked outrage and debate across the country. It revolves around Dominique Pellicot, who is accused of drugging his wife Gisèle Pellicot for a decade and inviting more than 80 men to his home to rape her while he filmed the attacks. The trial has become a symbol of the fight against sexual violence and has cast a shadow over the quaint village of Mazan, where the crimes allegedly took place.
Village in shock
Mazan, a small medieval village nestled in the hills of Provence, is now synonymous with one of the most horrific crime stories in recent French history. Once known for its peaceful vineyards and picturesque streets, Mazan is now suffering from a deep crisis of trust. The village that once welcomed tourists and hosted events such as British actress Keira Knightley’s wedding has now become the site of a nightmare.
The people of Mazan are divided in their reactions to the trial. Some residents express exhaustion with the constant media coverage and attention the case is receiving. “Honestly, nobody cares here,” said local caterer Ivan Tuvignon, reflecting a sense of despair. Still, many others, especially women, feel a growing sense of fear and betrayal. They worry about who they can trust, especially with news that many of the alleged attackers are still unidentified.
The names of the accused are circulating widely on social media, causing an uproar in Mazan and the surrounding villages. Women like Océane Martin, who recognized several of the accused men, feel uneasy. “It creates tension, you can imagine. You don’t know who to trust on the street,” she said, sighing with relief that they would soon be moving away from the village. Her mother, Isabelle Liversen, expressed a deep fear, saying that 30 of the 80 suspects are still at large. “There is tension here because people don’t know if they can trust their neighbors,” she said, expressing the fear that looms like a dark cloud over Mazan.
A trial that unleashed a nightmare
At the center of this storm is Gisèle Pellicot, who has chosen to renounce her right to remain anonymous and become a symbol of rebellion for women across France. She has shown great courage by stepping into the spotlight to talk about her experience. Four years ago, she was told by a police officer that her husband had drugged her and videoed her being raped by strangers in her own bedroom. Since then, she has become a powerful advocate against “chemical subordination,” where victims are drugged and sexually assaulted without their knowledge.
Gisèle’s decision to speak out has impressed many. “She has shown great dignity and courage,” said local activist Blandine Deverlanges. “It was a huge gift for [French women] that she decided to speak out in front of the whole world, in front of her rapist.”
Her bravery in facing her husband and other accused men in court has earned widespread praise. During the trial, she sat with her daughter Caroline and at least two sons, just a few meters away from some of the men accused of these horrific crimes. The atmosphere in the courtroom was tense, with a mix of shock, anger and disbelief.
Community reactions: Divided and disbelieving
The mayor of Mazan, Louis Bonnet, has attempted to ease tensions, claiming that most of the alleged rapists came from neighboring villages and that Pellicot was not a longtime resident. He has condemned the attacks, but also suggested that threats against the accused and their families were expected. “If they have participated in these rapes, it is normal that they are considered targets,” he said. His comments have sparked further outrage, as they seem to downplay the seriousness of the crimes and the trauma suffered by Gisèle Pellicot.
Many people in Mazan and beyond feel that the case has highlighted a deeper issue of attitudes to sexual violence in France. “People here say ‘no one was killed.’ If [Pellicot] had killed his wife, it would have been much worse,” Bonnet remarked, suggesting that the psychological and emotional trauma inflicted on Gisèle is somehow less significant because she survived. This kind of rhetoric has only added fuel to the fire, leading to more anger and resentment among those who support Gizelle.
Women like Gizelle’s daughter Caroline have also been deeply affected by this. Caroline, who suspects she was also drugged by her father and had photographs taken of her without her knowledge, has been accused of sexual assault.