Britain’s Gisèle Pelicot’s case: The silent threat of chemical control
A British woman has revealed her husband drugged her tea to rape her while she slept over multiple years in a case with disturbing similarities to French woman Gisèle Pelicot.
For years the woman we are calling Kate endured a controlling and abusive husband who was violent and misused prescription pills, unbeknown to her.
Sometimes, she would wake up to find him having sex with her, something she couldn’t consent to because she was asleep.
He convinced her he had been asleep and didn’t know what he was doing, and initially Kate supported her husband in seeking medical help for the strange behaviour.
It was only when he confessed he had been spiking her tea with sleeping medication and taking photographs while she was unconscious that she knew the truth. Her world collapsed, but the abuse continued.
He warned her against going to the police, fearing for his own life. Kate, struggling with the reality of her children’s father being a monster, didn’t report him immediately.
But the trauma took a toll on Kate’s health, leading to severe weight loss and panic attacks. Nearly a year later, she confided in her sister, who then involved the police.
Officers helped Kate understand the gravity of the crime. But while her husband’s medical records and his confessions to a psychiatrist and others provided crucial evidence, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) initially decided not to press charges. Kate’s courage and persistence led to a review, and eventually, her ex-husband was charged.
In court, he claimed Kate had a fantasy of being tied up and drugged, but the jury didn’t believe him. He was found guilty of rape, sexual assault by penetration, and administering a substance with intent. He was sentenced to 11 years in prison and given a lifelong restraining order. Three years later, Kate is rebuilding her life with her children, dealing with PTSD and a neurological disorder caused by the trauma.
Kate’s case highlights the issue of what is known as ‘chemical control’ in domestic abuse, where medication is used as a weapon. Experts warn such abuse is likely widespread and under-reported.
Kate’s story bears striking similarities to the case of Gisèle Pelicot, the French woman whose husband, Dominique Pelicot, drugged and raped her over a nine-year period. Dominique also invited dozens of men to rape Gisèle while she was unconscious, filming and photographing the assaults. Gisèle only discovered the abuse when Dominique was arrested for another crime, and police found the evidence on his computer.
Gisèle’s courage in waiving her right to anonymity and insisting on a public trial brought international attention to her case. Dominique and 50 other men were convicted, with Dominique receiving a 20-year prison sentence. Gisèle’s case highlighted the severe and often hidden nature of drug-facilitated sexual assault. It has also led politicians to rewrite French law to ensure sex without consent is rape – consent no longer being implied in the definition.
Both Kate and Gisèle’s stories underscore the importance of recognising and addressing chemical control in sexual abuse. The UK Government is working on new legislation to better track and prosecute spiking incidents, aiming to encourage more victims to come forward.
If you or someone you know is affected by similar issues, support is available through various helplines and organisations. At Bolt Burdon Kemp, we are dedicated to supporting survivors of sexual violence within the context of English law. We provide trauma-informed representation and work to hold individuals and institutions accountable. We also continuously advocate for improvements in the law.
If you or a loved one has been affected by sexual violence, we offer free, confidential advice to help you understand your legal options.
