The daughter of Gisèle Pelicot, Caroline Darian, has brought charges against her father Dominique Pelicot, who is already serving a 20-year sentence for drugging and raping his ex-wife. Darian claims her father also sexually assaulted her, urging authorities to reopen the case in light of new evidence, while her father's lawyer counters that previous investigations found insufficient proof.
Daughter of Victim Presses Charges Against Father in Shocking Mass Rape Case

Daughter of Victim Presses Charges Against Father in Shocking Mass Rape Case
Caroline Darian accuses her father, Dominique Pelicot, of drugging and raping her following his conviction for orchestrating the abuse of her mother.
Caroline Darian, the daughter of Gisèle Pelicot, is taking the courageous step of pressing charges against her father, Dominique Pelicot, alleging that he drugged and raped her—a claim he vehemently denies. Last December, Dominique Pelicot was sentenced to 20 years in prison after being convicted of drugging his ex-wife Gisèle and facilitating her abuse by numerous men over the span of nearly a decade. He documented these heinous acts by filming the assaults and storing the footage on a hard drive filled with horrific evidence.
Among the disturbing materials was a collection of photos, including two images of Caroline, which she asserts show her unconscious and in a state of apparent distress, wearing unfamiliar underwear. Although Pelicot has given varying explanations for these images, he has persistently refuted claims of any sexual misconduct towards his daughter.
In an interview with the BBC earlier this year, Caroline expressed her belief that these photos are indicative of a larger pattern of abuse, stating, "I know that he drugged me, probably for sexual abuse. But I don't have any evidence." With the police now set to investigate her claims further, prosecutors will ultimately determine the course of the legal proceedings.
Dominique Pelicot’s attorney, Béatrice Zavarro, commented that Caroline’s decision to file charges was "unsurprising," while criticizing the lack of "objective elements" in previous investigations that led to doubts about her allegations. The dramatic exchanges that unfolded during the 16-week trial saw Caroline confronting her father directly, prompting emotional pleas for innocence from Pelicot and vehement denials from his daughter.
Ms. Darian has publicly described her struggle as the "forgotten victim" of a case that has garnered significant media attention; unlike her mother’s documented abuse, her own suffering remained unrecognized. She has since hired lawyer Florence Rault to advocate for her rights, citing another case of a young woman named Marion who shared eerie similarities with her, emphasizing a broader pattern of violence against women.
As Ms. Rault pointed out, Caroline has yet to receive critical gynecological care or drug tests that could substantiate her allegations, and she stresses that the authorities have focused too narrowly on Gisèle Pelicot’s suffering while neglecting to acknowledge her client’s experience.
In the fallout from the original trial, 49 men faced charges alongside Pelicot, with all being convicted of either rape or sexual assault. The continuing appeals of several defendants add to the uncertainty surrounding this case, which has captured national and international attention, especially following Gisèle’s decision to waive her anonymity and make the trial public.
The unfolding story underscores the necessity for systemic change in how sexual violence cases are handled, ensuring that every victim's voice is heard and recognized within the judicial process.