Daughter of Convicted Rapist Files Charges Against Father for Drugging and Assault

Caroline Darian, the daughter of convicted rapist Dominique Pelicot, is pressing charges against her father for drugging and raping her. Following his 20-year sentence for mass rape, Darian claims the evidence from the past proves her victimization, sparking a police investigation amidst the fallout from the controversial case.

 

Caroline Darian, whose father Dominique Pelicot was sentenced to 20 years in prison for his role in a horrific case of mass rape, is now pressing charges against him, alleging that he drugged and raped her. Pelicot has persistently denied these accusations.

Dominique Pelicot was convicted in December for drugging his ex-wife, Gisèle Pelicot, and subjecting her to repeated assaults by numerous men over nearly a decade. Pelicot not only filmed these heinous acts but also cataloged them meticulously, which appalled the French public and ignited widespread outrage.

In her claims, 46-year-old Darian refers to two disturbing photographs discovered on her father’s hard disk, which she asserts depict her unconscious in an unfamiliar setting. Despite Pelicot’s conflicting explanations about the snapshots, Darian insists they are evidence of past abuse against her, stating, “I know that he drugged me, probably for sexual abuse. But I don't have any evidence.”

Authorities have now launched an investigation into her allegations, and prosecutors will determine whether these charges merit a trial. Pelicot’s lawyer, Béatrice Zavarro, remarked that Darian's decision to take legal action was expected but noted that previous prosecutors had found there to be insufficient evidence to charge him with sexually assaulting her.

During the intensely emotional courtroom proceedings of the 16-week trial, which shocked not only France but the world, Darian confronted her father directly, with Pelicot passionately denying any wrongdoing, while she vehemently responded, “You are lying!”

Feeling marginalized throughout the trial, Ms. Darian expressed her desire for acknowledgment as a victim of drug-induced assault. She stated, "I am a victim of chemical submission but was never recognized as such," as she pressed forward with her claims. She has secured legal representation from Florence Rault, an attorney known for her advocacy on behalf of other women victimized by violence.

The case has drawn parallels to past tragedies, particularly that of another victim known as Marion, for whom Darian mentioned striking similarities in their experiences and backgrounds. In her complaint to the police, Rault criticized the lack of investigation into potential abuse against Darian, rendering her "peripheral" to the initial inquiries that remain largely focused on her mother.

Pelicot is also being investigated concerning the murder of another woman in 1991, which he has denied involvement in. Alongside him, 49 other men were sentenced in December for sexual offenses related to Gisèle Pelicot, with some appealing their convictions. As the echoes of this trial linger, Darian's pressing of charges adds another layer of complexity to an already harrowing case that has captivated and horrified audiences worldwide.