Gisèle Pelicot Case Inspires UK Survivors to Organize Resistance

In September 2024, Amanda Stanhope, from Manchester, closely followed the global headlines about Gisèle Pelicot's case. It was the first time she encountered another person who had been sexually assaulted under the influence of drugs. Stanhope expressed relief that she was not alone, as her ex-partner David Rogerson was under investigation for raping her while she slept and filming the abuse. Zoe Watts and Amanda Stanhope, who both experienced similar crimes by their husbands, initially believed they were isolated in their suffering. Now, they are organizing resistance and support for other survivors. The case of Gisèle Pelicot, whose husband Dominique was convicted of rape and sexual violence facilitated by drugs, has shed light on the widespread issue of drug-facilitated sexual assault. The article, published in the German newspaper Der Freitag, highlights that the bed was never a safe place for these women, and it calls for broader awareness and action against such crimes.