Daughter's Fight Against Chemical Submission After Father's Horrific Crimes

Caroline Darian's life was forever altered when she learned of her father's drug-facilitated sexual assault on her mother, leading her to advocate against chemical submission and highlight the often-unrecognized issue of such abuses.

Caroline Darian, now 46, has been on a mission to bring awareness to chemical submission—a form of drug-facilitated sexual assault—after her father, Dominique Pelicot, was convicted for the horrific abuse he inflicted on her mother, Gisèle Pelicot. The shocking revelation came to Caroline on a November evening in 2020, when her mother disclosed that Dominique had been drugging her for around a decade, allowing multiple men to rape her.

Dominique Pelicot was sentenced to 20 years in prison after a groundbreaking trial that saw more than fifty accomplices also incarcerated for their roles in the abuse. His crimes were uncovered following a seemingly innocuous incident when he was caught upskirting in a supermarket, prompting a police investigation that revealed disturbing images and videos of Gisèle, unconscious and sexually assaulted, stored on his devices.

In the aftermath of the trial, Caroline has made it her mission to raise awareness about chemical submission, which many victims fail to report since they often have no memory of the attacks. She has penned a book titled "I'll Never Call Him Dad Again," detailing her family's experiences with trauma and the broader implications of such abuse, particularly focusing on the familiar environment in which many victims find themselves at risk.

When speaking with BBC Radio 4's Emma Barnett, Caroline described the emotional turmoil that ensued after her father's crimes came to light, explaining how difficult it was to reconcile her memories of him with the man he is—a dangerous sexual predator. While grappling with her own experiences, she advocates for survivors of such trauma, emphasizing that many victims are often not believed when they cannot provide tangible evidence against their abusers.

As she helps her mother heal from the abuse, Caroline also struggles with the burden of being the child of both victim and perpetrator—a complexity that deeply affects her identity. Although she reflects on her childhood memories, she finds it increasingly hard to view her father through any lens other than that of a criminal.

Caroline expressed confidence that Dominique Pelicot must remain in prison, referring to him as "a dangerous man." With little hope for reconciliation within her family, she focuses on utilizing her platform to educate others about the dangers of chemical submission and the necessity of reform in recognizing and preventing such assaults.

With her husband, her sons, and her brothers' unwavering support, Caroline Darian continues to channel her energy into activism. She's determined to build a future where survivors can feel empowered to share their stories and bring awareness to the often invisible threats of sexual violence. Through her journey, Caroline seeks to redefine her identity beyond her father's shadow, turning her trauma into a powerful message for change.