Daughter of Convicted Rapist Shares Struggle and Call for Awareness on Chemical Submission

In a poignant interview, Caroline Darian reveals how her father's criminal actions shattered her family's life and her determination to raise awareness about the dangers of chemical submission, a form of drug-facilitated sexual assault.

Caroline Darian’s life altered forever on a fateful November evening in 2020 when she received devastating news from her mother, Gisèle Pelicot. "She told me that Dominique [my father] had been drugging her for nearly a decade, allowing various men to assault her," Darian shared during an interview on BBC Radio 4's Today programme. "In that moment, everything I knew changed. It was like experiencing an earthquake." Now 46, Darian firmly believes her father should die behind bars, having been sentenced to 20 years for his heinous crimes.

Dominique Pelicot's actions led to the conviction of over 50 men, all of whom he lured into abusing his unconscious wife. His downfall began when he was apprehended for upskirting; further investigation revealed thousands of inappropriate images and videos on his devices. The shocking trial not only shed light on the rampant issue of sexual violence but also on the lesser-known topic of chemical submission.

Darian is now using her voice to combat this alarming form of assault, which leaves many victims unable to recount their experiences due to the drugs used against them. Following the distressing revelations, she wrote a book titled "I'll Never Call Him Dad Again," narrating her family's trauma while highlighting the dangers of drug-facilitated abuse.

In the aftermath, Darian and her brothers stood by their mother in the south of France as they processed the reality of their father's dual identity as a predator and their parent. The painful experience deepened when Darian learned that she, too, may have fallen victim to his abuse—a claim her father has consistently denied.

"My abuser was someone I knew, and that’s a reality for many victims," she noted, reflecting on the doubts and disbelief that plague survivors without tangible proof. The challenge of acknowledging her father's actions towards her has created an inner conflict for Darian, who tirelessly advocates for the untold stories of those scarred by chemical submission.

Despite the burden of having a father who is both a criminal and a significant part of her identity, Darian aims to channel her traumatic experiences into educating others about the seriousness of sexual violence. Her mother Gisèle, who has shown immense courage throughout this ordeal, finds strength in opening up about their family's suffering.

Darian believes that bringing these discussions into the public domain is a step towards healing and justice. "The danger lies within, and we need to arm children with knowledge about sexual abuse," she insisted with resolve. As she moves forward, Darian’s journey is powered by the love for her family and a commitment to ensuring that the plight of victims doesn’t remain invisible.

As the Pelicot family continues to rebuild their lives, Caroline Darian remains steadfast in her mission: to speak for the voiceless and engender change. Dominique Pelicot, serving his sentence, will be incarcerated for years to come, though Caroline maintains: "He is a dangerous man; there is no way he can ever be free again."