Summary
Dominique Pelicot, on trial in France for drugging his wife and enabling over 70 men to rape her while unconscious, has claimed a split personality caused by childhood trauma, according to his lawyer.
Béatrice Zavarro argued that Pelicot’s actions stem from a “perverse” side of his personality, shaped by witnessing abuse and experiencing sexual violence as a child.
The case, which includes 50 other defendants, has spotlighted domestic sexual violence and drug-facilitated assault.
Prosecutors seek a 20-year sentence for Pelicot, with verdicts expected by December 20.
For such a major claim by the accused and his lawyer, you’d think they would have an assessment by a psychiatrist or psychologist to diagnose Dissociative Identity Disorder and therefore would be noted in the article. Otherwise it would seem like he’s just using the commonly misused term as an excuse. But hey, I’m not a lawyer that leaves places open for the other side to poke holes, what do I know?