A new campaign has been launched in France to encourage individuals who suspect they have been victims of drug-facilitated sexual assault to come forward, even if their memories of the incident are unclear or absent. The initiative aims to provide support and guidance for those affected by these crimes, which often involve perpetrators who are known to the victims.

The campaign was initiated by Caroline Darian, 47, who alleges she was drugged and assaulted by her father, Dominique Pelicot. Darian's mother, Gisèle Pelicot, has become a prominent symbol of resilience following a high-profile trial two years ago involving her former husband. Dominique Pelicot, 73, was convicted along with 50 other men in 2024 for repeatedly drugging and raping Gisèle while she was unconscious, as well as allowing strangers to assault her in their home in Mazan, near Avignon, over nearly a decade.

Broadcast across French television, social media, print outlets, and billboards, the campaign features Gisèle Pelicot herself. In several brief clips, she highlights that approximately 75% of sexual assaults involving drugging are committed by relatives or acquaintances. She urges those who believe they may have been targeted to reach out to the Centre of Excellence on Substance-Facilitated Assaults, based within the Paris university hospital system.

The center’s team of experts provides advice on identifying possible evidence and how victims can collect and preserve information that may be critical for investigations. Caroline Darian, who founded the association MendorsPas to support victims of chemical submission, described the campaign as both a message of hope and a call to action. She emphasized that having her mother’s public endorsement lends significant weight to their efforts and demonstrates that recovery is possible.

Sexual violence facilitated by drugging often impairs memory, complicating efforts to report and prosecute these crimes. This campaign seeks to address these challenges by raising public awareness and encouraging victims to seek help despite gaps in recollection.

The Pelicot case drew international attention to the issue of chemical submission and underscored the urgent need for resources and support for survivors of such assaults. The current campaign aims to continue that momentum by promoting vigilance and making it easier for victims to access specialized care and legal assistance.