Gisèle Pelicot, the French woman who waived her anonymity during the trial of her former husband Dominique Pelicot, has warned that pornography is a “scourge” on society that is shaping children’s understanding of relationships and contributing to the normalisation of violence, according to an interview reported by Times UK. Her comments come amid growing debate in Europe over children’s exposure to explicit online content and the responsibilities of parents and governments in restricting access.
Pelicot, 73, whose husband was sentenced to 20 years in prison in France for drugging and raping her and facilitating the assault of other men while she was unconscious, told Times Radio that young people are increasingly being exposed to pornography at a very early age. She argued that children as young as nine or ten are accessing explicit material online and beginning to associate intimacy with violence rather than affection or respect.
She said pornography has become a “real scourge” affecting the moral and emotional development of children, urging parents to be more vigilant and reconsider giving devices such as iPads that provide unrestricted access to the internet. Pelicot stressed that the scale of exposure is “devastating,” describing it as an “evil of society” that requires urgent attention from families, schools, and governments alike.
According to reporting referenced by Times UK, Pelicot said early exposure to pornography risks shaping how future generations of men perceive women and relationships. She warned that without intervention, children who grow up consuming such material may carry distorted views of intimacy into adulthood, normalising aggression and coercion.
Her remarks align with findings from child welfare research cited in the interview, including a study by the Children’s Commissioner that found children as young as six had encountered pornography, with a significant proportion exposed by early adolescence. The report also highlighted the prevalence of extreme content, including violent sexual material, among young viewers.
Pelicot also addressed her belief that her former husband’s crimes were influenced by exposure to extreme pornography, saying she is convinced he was confronted with such material at a young age. She described him as having two contrasting identities: one appearing outwardly ordinary within family life, and another marked by what she called a descent into violent behaviour enabled during his crimes.
Despite the trauma of her experience, Pelicot said she has seen a growing number of men engaging with her story and reflecting on their own behaviour. She told Times UK that while early reactions were limited, more men have since reached out to express gratitude and acknowledge changes in how they view relationships and gender dynamics.
Pelicot appeared at the Hay Festival to discuss her memoir A Hymn to Life, where she was joined by her daughter Caroline Darian, an activist campaigning against drug-facilitated sexual assault. She publicly praised her daughter’s efforts, expressing pride in her advocacy work and describing the moment as an important shared milestone in their campaign for awareness and justice.
