In a trial that has captured widespread attention in France, Dominic Pellico is facing charges for orchestrating over 200 instances of rape against his wife, Giselle Pellico, by recruiting more than 70 strangers online. The abuse, which lasted nearly a decade, was facilitated by drugging Giselle with sleeping pills without her knowledge. This case not only highlights the severity of the crimes but also brings to light the broader issue of drug-facilitated sexual assault. Giselle Pellico, waiving her right to anonymity, has chosen to make the trial public in hopes of raising awareness and potentially helping prevent similar crimes against other women.
Dominic Pellico admitted to recruiting strangers online to rape his wife, Giselle Pellico, after drugging her.
The abuse involved more than 70 alleged abusers and spanned almost a decade.
Investigators have documented approximately 200 instances of rape.
Giselle Pellico waived her right to anonymity to help raise awareness about drug-facilitated sexual assault.
The case has highlighted the issue of chemical submission, a form of violence that has remained underreported in France.
Despite experiencing symptoms like memory loss, extreme fatigue, and abdominal pain, Giselle’s condition went undiagnosed for years due to a lack of awareness and training among medical professionals.
Chemical submission, though not explicitly named in France’s criminal law, has been punishable since 2018.
The trial aims to shift the shame away from the victim and towards the perpetrator, encouraging other victims to come forward.
France 24 is an international television network and news website owned by the French state.
France 24 is a French state-owned international news television network based in Paris, aimed primarily at an overseas market. It broadcasts around the clock in French, English, Arabic, and Spanish, providing rolling news and current affairs with a distinctively French perspective on global events. Publicly funded by the French government, the network focuses on international debate, culture, and diplomacy, serving as France's equivalent to global broadcasters like BBC World News or DW.
