Caroline Darian, the daughter of Gisèle Pelicot, serves as the narrator of a powerful documentary that delves into the trial of a mass rape case involving her parents and exposes the use of drugs to facilitate sexual abuse.
The documentary, titled “Chemical Submission, May Shame Change Camp,” is crafted by the esteemed Paris-based production company CAPA and commissioned by French public broadcaster France Televisions. Written by Linda Bendali and Andrea Rawlins Gaston, with Bendali also directing, the film sheds light on the heinous acts committed by Caroline’s father, Dominique Pelicot, who drugged and raped her mother for over a decade, alongside numerous strangers.
Caroline’s life was forever altered in November 2020 when she uncovered the shocking truth about her father’s crimes. The ongoing trial sees French prosecutors seeking prison sentences for the 51 men accused of participating in the repeated rape of Gisèle Pelicot. Dominique Pelicot, in particular, faces a 20-year sentence for orchestrating the assaults on his sedated wife with the help of online recruits.
During the 10-week trial, Caroline bravely took the stand and recounted her trauma upon discovering disturbing images on her father’s computer. These images, found in a folder named “ma fille à poil” (“my daughter naked”), depicted Caroline in a vulnerable state, leading her to suspect that she too may have been drugged and abused. Her testimony, as reported by The New York Times, highlighted the harrowing impact of the revelations.
Caroline’s advocacy extends beyond the courtroom, as she penned the book “Et j’ai cessé de t’appeler papa: Le livre sur l’affaire des viols et le procès de Mazan” (“And I stopped calling you dad: the book about the rapes and trial in Mazan”) to further expose the truth. Additionally, she founded the association “M’endors pas” (“Don’t put me to sleep”) to combat drugging and sexual violence.
The documentary not only amplifies Caroline’s voice but also amplifies the stories of five victims of drugging, all standing in solidarity with her to condemn the systemic abuse that has long been overlooked. Through their collective efforts, they aim to shift shame onto the perpetrators and spark meaningful change.
In a parallel development, Channel 5 announced a forthcoming documentary titled “The Pelicot Rape Case: A Town on Trial,” offering a comprehensive exploration of the case from various perspectives and featuring an interview with one of the accused individuals.
As Caroline Darian continues to champion justice and awareness, her unwavering courage and determination serve as a beacon of hope in the fight against sexual violence and exploitation.
