The aftermath of the shocking Monster of Avignon trial has left deep scars not only on Gisele Pelicot but also on her daughter, Caroline Darian.
The 46-year-old Parisian communication manager has revealed that she no longer speaks to her mother following the trial, describing her estrangement as a response to a series of painful incidents that made her feel abandoned.
A Daughter’s Heartbreak
Caroline stood by her mother throughout the months-long trial of Dominique Pelicot, 72, who was sentenced to 20 years in prison for raping and orchestrating the repeated sexual abuse of Gisele.
Yet, despite her unwavering support, Caroline claims her mother never fully believed that she, too, may have been abused by Dominique.
Speaking to The Telegraph, Caroline recalled moments during the trial when her mother reportedly told her to “stop making a spectacle of yourself” after she shouted in court:
“You will die alone like a dog in jail!” Her words, meant to confront the abuser, were met with what she describes as disbelief and dismissal.
The Painful Discovery
The investigation uncovered horrifying evidence on Dominique Pelicot’s computer: around 20,000 abusive images and videos of Gisele, along with photographs of Caroline in compromising poses that she insists she never posed for.
A deleted file titled “My Daughter Naked” contained two images of Caroline in beige underwear, sleeping—an unfamiliar garment to her.
These revelations led Caroline to believe she, too, may have been a victim of sexual abuse.
A Mother’s Denial
Caroline alleges that from the beginning, Gisele struggled to accept that her husband could harm his own daughter.
“Your father is incapable of such a thing,” her mother reportedly assured her.
Despite repeated pleas from Caroline and her brothers, Dominique consistently denied any wrongdoing.
Caroline says she feels her mother could have compelled Dominique to confess, yet chose to remain silent—a decision she says she can never forgive.
Feeling Like a Forgotten Victim
In the wake of the trial, which gripped audiences worldwide, Caroline described feeling like a “forgotten victim” while her mother gained global recognition.
She acknowledges the proof of her mother’s abuse but laments that her own experiences remain unproven.
“The only difference between Gisele and me is that for her, there is proof.
For me, it’s an absolute tragedy,” she told the court.
Caroline also expressed frustration that her mother’s fame and new relationship—now with an ex-Air France steward named Jean-Loup—have not softened the sense of abandonment she felt during the trial.
Today, she says, she would only offer a brief greeting if she saw her mother in public.
The Monster of Avignon
Dominique Pelicot, dubbed the Monster of Avignon, orchestrated the systematic rape and abuse of his wife over a decade, enlisting strangers he met online to assault her while drugged.
The crimes involved a shocking mix of perpetrators, including firefighters, soldiers, a DJ, and a journalist.
While Dominique received a 20-year prison sentence, police were unable to identify all of the men involved.
In total, the court convicted 47 men of rape, two of attempted rape, and two of sexual assault.
The trial exposed not only the horrifying acts of Dominique Pelicot but also the complex and painful family dynamics left in its wake, as Caroline Darian continues to navigate the trauma of both her father’s crimes and her mother’s perceived abandonment.
