Daughter of Dominique Pelicot Accuses Father of Drugging and Rape Amid Ongoing Scandal

Summary: Caroline Darian has lodged formal charges against her father, Dominique Pelicot, claiming he drugged and raped her. This comes after Pelicot received a 20-year prison sentence for his previous crimes against his ex-wife and others. Darian insists the accusations reflect her treatment as a "forgotten victim" in the wider ongoing prosecution, challenging authorities for a more thorough inquiry into her case.


Caroline Darian, the daughter of Dominique Pelicot and Gisèle Pelicot, has taken the courageous step of pressing charges against her father, alleging he drugged and sexually assaulted her. This accusation follows Dominique Pelicot’s recent conviction to 20 years imprisonment for drugging and raping his ex-wife, Gisèle, as well as orchestrating a horrific scheme of abuse involving multiple men over many years.

Dominique Pelicot's heinous acts were notorious, as he recorded the assaults and meticulously cataloged evidence of his crimes. Among the items seized during the investigation were two troubling photos of Caroline—she claims they show her unconscious and dressed in unfamiliar attire, indicative of drug-facilitated abuse. Pelicot has remained adamant in his denials of any wrongdoing toward her, offering conflicting explanations of the incriminating photos.

Caroline expressed her distress upon first seeing the pictures during police questioning, stating, “I know that he drugged me, probably for sexual abuse. But I don't have any evidence.” The trial displayed many stark moments, culminating in confrontational exchanges between father and daughter, with Pelicot insisting, “I never touched you, never,” while Caroline retorted vehemently, “You are lying!”

Feeling marginalized within the legal narratives surrounding her father's trial, Caroline has described herself as the “forgotten victim.” This prompted her to finally seek formal charges, which she has termed “symbolic,” emphasizing her long-held belief in her own victimhood, despite a lack of recognition.

In light of Caroline’s charges, she has enlisted lawyer Florence Rault—a seasoned advocate known for championing justice for female victims of violence. Rault has previously represented individuals like Marion, a woman who faced near-fatal violence at the hands of Pelicot and points out that investigations into Caroline’s claims have been severely lacking, focusing predominantly on Gisèle Pelicot's experiences.

Dominique Pelicot’s defense attorney indicated that the new allegations were expected due to Caroline's previous statements during the bruising trial. However, officials from the Avignon trial indicated that there were insufficient “objective elements” to substantiate Caroline’s claims against her father.

In December, the legal outcomes of the mass rape case against Pelicot saw 49 men convicted, all of whom had perpetrated varying degrees of sexual violence against Gisèle Pelicot over nearly a decade. Many of the convicted men are now appealing their sentences, setting the stage for a future trial.

The Pelicot trial has sparked widespread discussions about sexual violence, the treatment of victims, and the failings of the judicial system to support all victims adequately. Caroline’s case underscores the urgent need for recognition and proper investigation of drug-facilitated sexual abuse in legal proceedings.