Dominique Pélicot, a 71-year-old Frenchman, confessed in court to drugging his wife and inviting dozens of men to rape her over nearly a decade. He admitted to recruiting these men online and recording the assaults, with 50 co-defendants also standing trial. Pélicot expressed remorse, asking for forgiveness from his family and acknowledging his guilt. His ex-wife, Gisèle, who has become a symbol against sexual violence in France, was present and expressed her disbelief and betrayal. Pélicot cited a traumatic childhood as a factor in his actions, but emphasized that his wife did not deserve the abuse. The trial has shocked France and highlighted issues of sexism and rape culture in the country.