Shocking Sex Crime: Frenchman Masterminds Decade-Long Nightmare For Wife, Recruited 72 Men To Rape Her

A 71-year-old man, Dominique Pelicot, is on trial in France, accused of drugging his wife and allowing strangers to rape her over nearly a decade.

Pelicot allegedly advertised sexual encounters with his unconscious wife on a website and filmed the assaults. 

Fifty men who participated in these acts are also on trial, facing serious charges of rape. According to the prosecutor's office, Pelicot "offered sex with his wife" and documented the abuse.

Pelicot's wife had been unaware of the rapes due to the drugs he gave her, according to her lawyers. The abuse only came to light four years ago when the police informed her. Her lawyer said, "She was entirely unaware of the rapes until police told her about them."

The trial began on September 2 and will run until December. Unlike many sex crime cases, it will not be held behind closed doors, as the victim requested. Her lawyer explained, "She wanted it to be held publicly to alert the public to sexual abuse and drug-induced blackouts."

Pelicot has admitted to his crimes, according to his lawyer, Beatrice Zavarro, who stated, "He admits to his crimes." His wife's legal team, including lawyer Stephane Babonneau, said she wants to shift the shame to the abusers: "By asking that the trial should not take place behind closed doors, she wanted to show that shame must change sides."