Caroline Darian expresses her pain over her father’s crimes and her struggle with identity
Paris: Caroline Darian is speaking out about her father, Dominique Pelicot, who was sentenced to 20 years in prison for horrific crimes. She feels a heavy burden being the daughter of both a convicted rapist and his victim, her mother, Gisèle.
Caroline, 46, believes her father is a dangerous man who should never be released. He drugged Gisèle for years, allowing others to assault her. The police uncovered this after Pelicot was caught upskirting in a store, leading to a search of their home.
They found disturbing evidence on his devices, including videos of Gisèle being assaulted. Caroline recalls the moment her mother revealed the truth, saying it shattered her world. She felt like she was hit by a tsunami of emotions.
Seeing photos of herself unconscious on her father’s laptop was a shocking moment. She didn’t recognize herself until the police pointed out a birthmark. Pelicot denies abusing Caroline, but she believes she was also drugged, just like her mother.
While Gisèle has become a symbol of strength in France, Caroline struggles with her identity. She hoped her father would confess during the trial, but he maintained his innocence. Now, she’s advocating for awareness around drug-facilitated assaults.
Caroline started a movement called Don’t Put Me Under and wrote a book about her experiences. She feels a deep sadness and loneliness, saying she lost a part of herself when she learned about her father’s actions.
She reflects on the complexity of her situation, feeling torn between being the daughter of a notorious criminal and a feminist icon. It’s like mourning someone who is still alive, and she knows this struggle will stay with her.
