French woman testifies against husband accused of drugging and recruiting men to rape her

Gisèle Pélicot, a 72-year-old woman, is testifying against her ex-husband and 50 other defendants in a trial in Avignon, France. She alleges that her husband, Dominique, drugged her and recruited men online to rape her over a period of years. Pélicot claims that she was unaware of the abuse until police showed her videos of the incidents in 2020, which led to her world "collapsing". The trial, which is expected to run until December, has sent shockwaves through the French public due to the extraordinary and sordid allegations. Some defendants are contesting the charges, claiming they thought they were participating in consensual sex games. Pélicot has stated that the police "saved her life" by investigating her husband's computer and uncovering the crimes.