More than 1,000 people on the street in Leuven against the judgment in rape case: « Every victim is one too many » (Leuven)

Earlier in the day it was announced that the Leuven public prosecutor’s office will appeal against the suspension of punishment, so that the trial must be conducted again. But that did not stop the activists.

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« We are happy with the profession of the public prosecutor’s office, but it doesn’t stop here, » says Hanna de Boe. She is one of the two organizers of the promotion and member of the local Comac department (PvdA student movement, ed.). « There are still victims every day, so we have to keep taking action, » she says. « We have a long way to go before sexism and cross -border behavior are effectively restricted. »

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According to the organization there were around a thousand attendees. « We are very happy with the turnout, this shows a powerful signal, » says Hanna. With their event they want to make it clear that cross -border behavior at all times Not Done is. « We don’t want everything to stay with the same now, we now have to take steps against cross -border behavior, » she says.

« We still have a long way to go before sexism and cross -border behavior are effectively restricted »

Hanna de Boe

Co-organizer

Several people spoke fervently during the protest action, but it was mainly the testimony of a victim who lasted. « I am damaged for the rest of my life, » she said. « Our system is crooked. This process discourages victims from submitting a complaint, and not the other way around. »

The cardboard signs with slogans don’t lie. Many attendees are angry with the system and call for change. « No is no, » we read several times. ‘A Woman is Somebody,, «  Not Some Body‘And the cynical message’Rapist’s Got Talent‘Talk also volumes. Erasmus students came to argue and they certainly do not understand how this could happen. « It is really incredible that no punishment was introduced. And this should be a Western country, how is this possible? We should clearly show that this is not possible. »

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The organization does not leave it at this. On Tuesday she takes action again, this time on the Grote Markt. She wants to make it clear to the city council that they too can and should do more. During the protest, petitions went around for the introduction of ‘purple points’, a system that originates in Spain. Purple points are guidance centers for victims of sexism and sexual violence, a system that the activists also like to see introduced in our country.

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