In a shocking revelation at the Gisèle Pelicot rape trial, a court has heard how one of the accused men, Charly A, proposed drugging and raping his own mother. The 30-year-old vineyard worker is one of 51 men on trial for the alleged rape of Gisèle Pelicot, whose then-husband, Dominique Pelicot, is accused of drugging her and inviting dozens of men to sexually assault her while she was unconscious over a nine-year period from 2011 to 2020.
Video Evidence Exposes Disturbing Plan
Video footage played in court showed a whispered conversation between Charly A and Dominique Pelicot in Gisèle Pelicot’s bedroom, where they discussed a plan to drug and rape Charly A’s mother in the same manner as they had allegedly done to Gisèle Pelicot. In the recording, Charly A can be heard saying he will provide an address and date for the assault to take place.
Both men acknowledged the conversation occurred but claimed they did not follow through with the plan to rape Charly A’s mother, a personal care assistant and mother of three who had lived in the same area as the Pelicots.
Defendant Claims Fear and Pressure
When questioned about why he suggested raping his own mother, Charly A claimed he was afraid of Dominique Pelicot and felt pressured when asked if there was another woman in his family or circle who he would like to rape or see raped. He told the court he suggested his mother “because it was the only woman who came to mind” but insisted he never intended to go through with it.
I gave the excuse that my little brother was home and my mother had to look after him, so he couldn’t come. Because I wasn’t OK with it.
Charly A, defendant in the Gisèle Pelicot rape trial
Sedatives Found in Mother’s Hair Sample
Despite Charly A’s claims that he disposed of the sedative tablets Dominique Pelicot provided him to drug his mother, police testing on a hair sample from Charly A’s mother showed a low presence of sedatives consistent with sporadic or one-time use. She denied ever using such medication, telling police, “I don’t know how it could be in my body. I don’t understand.”
Pornography and Loneliness as Contributing Factors
A court psychiatrist who interviewed Charly A suggested his “very intense use of pornography” from a young age, including content fetishizing mothers and older women, played a role in his objectification of women. The psychiatrist also noted that Charly A’s alleged assaults on Gisèle Pelicot often occurred around the Christmas holiday period, possibly related to his depression from having a dysfunctional family life.
Other defendants in the trial have also cited loneliness and isolation during the holidays as factors in their alleged involvement in the rapes. One 63-year-old man claimed he participated because he was “lonely” and “Christmas was approaching and I was going to be on my own again.”
Gisèle Pelicot’s Bravery Sparks Calls for Change
Gisèle Pelicot, now 72, has been hailed as a feminist hero for insisting the trial be held in public to raise awareness about the use of drugs to facilitate sexual assaults. Her courage in speaking out has ignited calls to address what activists describe as a pervasive “culture of rape” and “culture of impunity” in France surrounding sexual violence against women.
As the trial continues, with a verdict expected on December 20th, the disturbing testimony and evidence that has emerged serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need for societal change in attitudes towards sexual assault and the treatment of survivors. Gisèle Pelicot’s bravery in seeking justice has shed light on an often hidden form of violence and empowered other survivors to come forward.
The shocking proposal by Charly A to drug and rape his own mother underscores the depths of depravity and lack of empathy exhibited by some of the accused men in this case. As more details surface in court, the trial remains a focal point for the ongoing fight against sexual violence and the quest for justice and healing for survivors like Gisèle Pelicot.
