Gisèle Pelicot Adopts New Name, Erases Husband’s Presence

Warning: This account includes descriptions of sexual abuse. In November 2011, Gisèle Pelicot experienced excessive sleep. She typically spent the majority of her weekends in a state of deep sleep. This was a source of frustration for her, as she diligently worked as a supply chain manager throughout the week, valuing her leisure time highly. Despite this, she found herself unable to remain conscious, frequently falling asleep unknowingly and awakening hours later with no recollection of having retired. Nevertheless, Gisèle, aged 58, felt content. She considered herself fortunate to have Dominique, her husband of 38 years, accompanying her. With their three children, Caroline, David, and Florian, now adults, the couple intended to retire shortly and relocate to Mazan, a village with a population of 6,000 in France’s picturesque southern region of Provence. There, Mr. Pelicot envisioned cycling, and she planned to take Lancôme, their French bulldog, on extended strolls. She had harbored affection for Dominique since their initial meeting in the early 1970s. “When I saw that young man in a blue jumper it was love at first sight,” Gisèle would later recall. Both individuals possessed intricate family backgrounds characterized by loss and trauma, yet they had discovered solace in each other’s company. Their four decades as a couple had encountered difficulties, including recurring financial issues and her involvement in