French Police Expose Online Forums Where Rape and Sexual Abuse are Freely Discussed
A shocking discovery has been made by French police, revealing an online forum where users actively discussed rape and sexual abuse, including details of violent attacks on women.
Dominique Pelicot, a 72-year-old man, is accused of using the website to recruit men to rape his own wife, Gisele, whom he drugged and forced over 200 times. The website, which was not part of the dark web, was shut down in 2023.
The police reports show that Pelicot used the site to chat with other men, making arrangements for rape and sexual abuse. The messages have been used as key evidence in the trial of Dominique Pelicot, along with 50 co-defendants accused of aggravated rape.
Gisele Pelicot testified in court that she was unaware of her husband’s actions. She suffered physical and emotional toll, including memory loss and pelvic pain, due to the frequent sedation and abuse.
French police found the dark web of crimes after Dominique Pelicot was arrested for filming up the skirts of female customers at a supermarket. After his arrest, police confiscated his devices, revealing the shocking extent of the abuse.
This case has sent shockwaves through France, prompting authorities to take action to combat male violence against women. The government has announced new measures to combat violence against women following the case.
The trial has also sparked a call for change, with campaigns demanding the law be revised to require consent for sexual relations. Gisele Pelicot concluded her statement in court by saying, “It’s time that the macho, patriarchal society that trivializes rape changes. It’s time we changed the way we look at rape.”
Similar online forums where rape and sexual abuse are discussed are still active, and experts warn that shutting down one site will not be enough to stop the problem. Other platforms may emerge to replace it, and it is crucial to ensure that the law and online platforms take action to regulate and shut down such sites.
The case has also brought attention to the lack of safety measures in place, with some men still using private messaging apps like Snapchat and Skype to share intimate images without consent. The Pelicot trial is expected to deliver verdicts in December, with sentences ranging from four to 20 years demanded for the accused.