Daughter of Dominique Pelicot Speaks Out: A Tale of Abuse, Trauma, and Advocacy

Caroline Darian recounts the devastation of learning about her father Dominique Pelicot's heinous abuses, and her ongoing struggle to advocate for victims of sexual violence and chemical submission.

Caroline Darian's life changed forever on a fateful November evening in 2020 when she received a shocking call from her mother, Gisèle Pelicot. Gisèle revealed that Dominique Pelicot, Caroline's father, had been drugging her for a decade, orchestrating the repeated rape of his wife by various men. Now 46, Caroline reflected on that moment as the end of her normal life: “I lost what was a normal life,” she said, adding that the revelation felt like “an earthquake” and “a tsunami.”

Dominique Pelicot was sentenced to 20 years in prison following a groundbreaking three-and-a-half-month trial that ended in December. Through his actions, he brought to light issues of rape and gender violence, but perhaps more importantly, the lesser-known topic of chemical submission—drug-facilitated sexual assault. Caroline, horrified by her father's crimes and convinced that she too may have been a victim, has made it her mission to raise awareness about this phenomenon, which is thought to be underreported due to victims often lacking memory of the events.

In the wake of her father’s arrest, Caroline recalled traveling to support her mother, who was grappling with the heartbreaking truth about her husband’s betrayal. Tragically, both Caroline and her mother have been affected by the chilling nature of Dominique's predation. Darian was summoned by police for questioning and was shown photos from her father's devices, revealing unsettling evidence that pointed to potential abuse. “I lived a dissociation effect. I had difficulties recognizing myself,” Darian explained, candidly sharing the emotional turmoil that consumed her.

Despite Dominique's denial of abuse towards Caroline, she is left with the uncertainty and trauma of these experiences. "I know that he drugged me, probably for sexual abuse. But I don’t have any evidence," she said. In her efforts to support other victims of sexual violence, Caroline authored a book titled "I'll Never Call Him Dad Again," which recounts her family's trauma while shining a light on the realities of chemical submission—where often the drugs are sourced from a victim's own home.

The relationship between mother and daughter has evolved amidst this ordeal. Gisèle's brave choice to make her story public allowed them to confront the harsh reality of their situation together. “I knew we went through something horrible, but we had to go through it with dignity and strength,” Caroline stated confidently.

Now, Caroline faces the psychological weight of being the daughter of both a victim and her father, whom she refers to as "the torturer." She struggles with reconciling her childhood memories of him with the horrifying reality of his actions. “When I look back I don't really remember the father that I thought he was. I look straight to the criminal, the sexual criminal he is,” she reflected.

She believes her father knows exactly what he has done: "He is a dangerous man. There is no way he can get out. No way." While Dominique Pelicot, now 72, may serve a lengthy sentence, Caroline and Gisèle are committed to rebuilding their lives. Gisèle is reportedly recovering well from the trial, and Caroline draws strength from her supportive family—and her ten-year-old son.

The anguish that unfolded in November changed Caroline's path, compelling her to advocate for awareness surrounding the dangers of chemical submission and the imperative of educating children about sexual abuse. "The events that were unleashed on that November day made me who I am today," Caroline expressed with resolve.

You can watch the full interview "Pelicot Trial - The Daughter's Story" on Monday at 7pm on BBC 2 or catch it on iPlayer. Resources for support are available for those affected by similar issues at bbc.co.uk/actionline.