Women of Co-defendants in Pelicot Rape Case Continue to Support Their Men: 'He Wouldn't Do Such a Thing'

paris - The women of the fifty co-defendants standing trial alongside Dominique Pelicot in a massive sexual abuse case in Avignon continue to support their husbands despite everything.

The women of the fifty co-defendants standing trial alongside Dominique Pelicot in a massive sexual abuse case in Avignon continue to support their husbands despite everything. The trial began on September 2 surrounding the rape of Gisèle Pelicot, who was drugged and abused for years by her then-husband Dominique Pelicot. The main suspect invited his co-defendants through online sites to sexually abuse his unconscious wife in their marital home in Mazan.

Before the criminal court of Vaucluse in Avignon, the women of the co-defendants testified that they are 'good husbands and fathers.' Three years after the arrest of the sex offenders, the women are still shocked by the accusations against their partners. Most of them were not even aware of their husbands being unfaithful. According to the women, it was a 'moment of distraction' and their partners fell 'into the trap' of Dominique Pelicot out of naivety.

For Thierry P.'s wife, her husband had been in a black hole of depression and alcohol for years. The problems began when their 18-year-old son died in a car accident in 2016. From that moment on, Thierry P. changed completely, descending into immense anger followed by deep depression. 'He couldn't eat, he couldn't work, he was desperate,' described the 53-year-old housekeeper to the court.

On one evening in 2020, her ex-husband Thierry P. went to the Pelicot couple's house in Mazan. When he was arrested a year later, Corinne M. couldn't believe it. Today, she still doesn't understand. 'Given that he was drinking alcohol, maybe he thought: let me go take a look, have some fun...'

Since her ex-husband was released under judicial supervision, they have reunited. Thierry P., a bricklayer by profession, is even building a new house for them. 'We are seeing each other again, getting back together, trying to rebuild our lives,' said Corinne M., seemingly unaware of the extent of the charges against the father of her children.

It appears that the women find it difficult to connect their loved ones with the accusations they are facing. This is certainly the case for Alexandra R., the partner of the suspect Simone M. who was arrested in 2021, shortly after the start of their relationship. The 28-year-old beautician stated that she had 'full confidence' in Simone M. from the beginning. 'He told me what happened, and then I got pregnant.'